Jokowi to Review Central Kalimantan by Air and Land

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) confirmed that he would review a number of areas in Central Kalimantan Province on Wednesday (8/5), both by air and land.

"Tomorrow, I will be escorted by the Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran to review a number of locations related to the plan to move the capital city," he said after performing tarawih prayers at Darul Arqam Mosque Campus 1 of Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya University (UMP) in Palangka Raya on Tuesday night.

The locations to be reviewed include Katingan District, Gunung Mas District and Palangka Raya City area. If there is time, the Pulang Pisau area will also be assessed.

Jokowi explained that all aspects would be seen and assessed to move the capital city— from sociology, environment and social politics to water availability and various other aspects.

"Everything will be checked and calculated by the team," he explained.

Read: Jokowi Observes Locations for New Capital City in Kalimantan

Previously, Jokowi admitted the Central Kalimantan Governor had explained to him Central Kalimantan's readiness if it was chosen as the location of the new capital city. The governor had outlined the land area that has been prepared in connection with the planned relocation.

Speaking about Central Kalimantan's chances of being the location of choice for the new capital city, he explained that the vision of this transfer had been around since the time of Bung Karno, the first President of Indonesia.

"He wanted to move to Palangka Raya. Now, we will see," he said.

If all aspects have been assessed by the team, the government will immediately make a decision. It's just that in the end, everything must be done in consultation with the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD).

Related to the assessment in the East Kalimantan region, there were indeed a number of advantages, namely adequate infrastructure, such as the location of the airport and the availability of toll roads.

However, Jokowi emphasized that his assessment was not only related to infrastructure, but also included land area, distance from the coastal area and other aspects.

STUDY CENTER

Meanwhile, member of the Central Kalimantan Development Acceleration Team Dr. H. Bulkani said that the study center in Central Kalimantan needed to discuss various things in connection with moving the Indonesian Government's center to Central Kalimantan.

The Chairperson of the Daily Executive Board of the University of Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya (UMP) stated the willingness of the UMP as a study center for Central Kalimantan's readiness as the Center for the Indonesian State Government.

Dr. Bulkani, who is also the former Rector of the two-period UMP, assessed that human resources comprising researchers and academics owned by the campus were adequate and collaborated with campuses in Central Kalimantan and several districts.

UMP Chancellor Dr. Sonedi said that research institutes and internal study institutions had carried out research and studies as contribution to the UMP for transferring the central government of Indonesia from Jakarta, and Central Kalimantan as an alternative new location.

The Provincial Government of Central Kalimantan has reserved 500 thousand hectares of vacant land in one stretch for the construction of the RI Government headquarters in the Palangka Raya City area, Katingan District and Gunung Mas District.

ANTARA