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Shifting Capital from Jakarta to Borneo

Published: 16th Mar, 2023

Context

Recently, Indonesian government authorities unveiled the site of the country’s new capital, from Jakarta to Borneo.

Key-highlights:

  • The proposed location—near the regional cities of Balikpapan and Samarinda—is an area at "minimal" risk of natural disasters.
  • Borneo is a large island in Southeast Asia that is divided among three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
  • Borneo is the third largest island in the world, after Greenland and New Guinea. 

About Jakarta (the Indonesian Island):

  • Jakarta is the largest city and capital of Indonesia
  • The city lies on the northwest coast of Java at the mouth of the Ciliwung (Liwung River), on Jakarta Bay (an embayment of the Java Sea). 
  • It is coextensive with the metropolitan district of Greater Jakarta (Jakarta Raya).
  • Jakarta is home to about 10 million people and three times that number in the greater metropolitan area.

Problems surrounding the city:

  • Jakarta lies on a low, flat alluvial plain with historically extensive swampy areas.
  • It is easily flooded during the rainy season. 
  • The draining of swamps for building purposes and the continuous decrease of upland forest vegetation has increased the danger of floods. 
  • With such an excess of water in the soil, Jakarta has a shortage of clean drinking water, for which there is increasing demand. 

The area is quite fertile for fruit and other horticulture, as most of the soil is of old volcanic origin.

Why is government planning to the change the capital?

  • Sinking land: Jakarta is congested, polluted, prone to earthquakes, and rapidly sinking into the Java Sea.
    • It has been described as the world’s most rapidly sinking city and it is estimated that one-third of the city could be submerged by 2050. 
  • Causes: The main cause is uncontrolled ground water extraction, but it has been exacerbated by the rising Java Sea due to climate change.

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