Riza Patria Says Capital City Relocation May Reduce Traffic Jam, Floods

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said the relocation of the capital city to East Kalimantan might eliminate a number of problems in Jakarta since there will be a migration of people.

“So hopefully the traffic jams will decrease, the floods will decrease, and the air will get better,” said Riza at City Hall, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Riza explained that the capital relocation was aimed at achieving equal development in the archipelago. Thus, the city administration supported the central government's plan. He also believed that Jakarta’s development will be much better after many people move, especially civil servants or ASN.

The House of Representatives (DPR) officially approved the bill on the state capital (RUU IKN) into law in the plenary meeting held Tuesday, January 18.

Riza said the city administration was given 50 days since the law is passed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to determine its new status after the capital relocation.

According to him, several new status options for Jakarta include an economic center, a trade center, a business city, a financial city or a trade services city, a global or international service city, as well as the center of health, education, and culture.

The Deputy Governor informed that academic studies on the new status of Jakarta were being discussed with experts. He further invited the public to play an active role in determining the future of Jakarta.

Read: MPR, Ministers Visit New Capital Project Site

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH