Jakarta Council Opines City Status Must Remain despite Capital Relocation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi opined that the government needs to maintain the status of a special region of Jakarta after the state capital is moved to East Kalimantan.

“Even though Jakarta area is not too big, its buffer zone is very large,” said Prasetyo at the Jakarta DPRD Building, Jan. 26.

However, the PDIP politician said the decision on Jakarta's special status is in the hands of the House of Representatives (DPR). Jakarta DPRD could only provide input or join the discussion.

Prasetyo also argued that the relocation of the capital city would encourage investment, especially since Jakarta has many buildings that need a major overhaul, except for cultural heritage sites.

National Development Planning Minister or Bappenas Head Suharso Monoarfa said the relocation of the state capital to East Kalimantan would not change the administrative status of Jakarta as a special region.

Jakarta would not just become a business city but would be developed as an area that creates investment opportunities and would continue to develop like the old capital cities in other countries.

The government was determined to start the construction of the new capital after the regulation is enacted. It was targeted for completion in 2045, but the first phase of the construction project of the central government core area (KIPP) will be finished in 2024.

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EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA