Relocation the Capital City of Indonesia (Jakarta to East Kalimantan); Everything You Need to Know

For decades the capital city of Indonesia has been synonymous with Jakarta. This big city has its own place with all its characteristics for some travelers. However, the capital city of Indonesia will soon move gradually from Jakarta to an area in East Kalimantan Province called Penajam Paser Utara.

Why? and What do you need to know?

We will always update this article continuously, along with the latest news that has been and will happen in future.

(by. Rido Ivanus – March 10, 2022)

Currently, the Indonesian government will move its capital city from Jakarta to an area called Penajam Paser Utara in East Kalimantan Province. Through the Bill on the State Capital (RUU IKN) which was passed into law on January 18, 2022 by the parlement, the name of new capital city of Indonesia state as "Nusantara" and the process of moving state capital will be carried out in stages starting from 2022 to 2045.
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Launched from the IKN site and latest news that took place in Jakarta at the time this article was written, here are the things you need to know:
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Why capital city of Indonesia have to move from Jakarta?

The capital city had to move from Jakarta to Kalimantan Island for several reasons :

1. The burden on population in Jakarta and Java island already too heavy. In the 2015 Inter-Census Population Survey stated that 5.56% of Indonesia's population or 150.18 million people were concentrated on the island of Java. Meanwhile, in other islands, the percentage of population is less than 10%, except for the island of Sumatra, which is 22.1%.

2. The economic contribution of the island of Java to Indonesia's economic growth dominates, while other islands are far behind. The Indonesian government wants economic growth in other islands  increased along with the relocation of the nation's capital.

3. The availability of clean water on Java island decreased, in other words there’s a water crisis that quite severe.

4. The largest land conversion occurs on the island of Java and its very dominant compared to other islands. Even Java’s land conversion has reached five times that of Kalimantan.

5. The high growth of urbanization on the island of Java, especially in Jakarta and suburbs such as Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Puncak, Cianjur (West Java).

6. The threat of flood, earthquake and land subsidence in Jakarta. The increasing burden of Jakarta causes a decrease in carrying capacity of the environment and the magnitude of economic losses.
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How about the expectation and "Timeline" of the relocation process?

On Thursday 10 March 2022, the President of Republic of Indonesia inaugurated the Head of the IKN (State Capital) Authority, Bambang Susantono and his Deputy Dhony Rahajoe, to carry out their duties as head and deputy of development in the new capital.

As quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube page that the President hopes to this new capital can reflect Indonesia and the future of the nation, where all challenges and future reflections can be summarized in this city.

While the timeline of relocation process will be:

1. Period 2022-2024

The initial phases of relocation will be the construction of the main infrastructure of the Presidential Palace, the parliament building, housing and the transfer of government employees. In the early stages, the construction of basic infrastructure for 500,000 residents is also prepared. It is planned that the President of the Republic of Indonesia will celebrate the 79th Indonesian Independence Day in the new capital area on August 17, 2024.

2. Period 2025 – 2035

The government will build an innovation center and priority economy. In addition, completing the transfer of the center of government.

3. Period 2035 - 2045

Infrastructure and ecosystem development of three cities in the new National Capital area. Trying to make the new nation's capital as the number one destination for priority economic sectors in Indonesia and become the top 5 main destinations in Southeast Asia. Encouraging sustainable utility networks by implementing circular economy “enablers” and developing innovation and talent centers.

4. Period 2045 – next

Targeted to be confirmed as a “World City for All” and become the world's leading city in terms of competitiveness. It’s expected to become the World's 10 Best Liveable Cities, achieving "net zero carbon emissions" and 100% renewable energy at installed capacity.

The national capital will also be used as a "super hub" for 6 economic clusters including: a clean technology industry cluster, an integrated pharmaceutical cluster, a sustainable agriculture industry cluster, an ecotourism and health tourism cluster, a cluster of chemicals and chemical derivatives, and a low-carbon energy cluster. In addition, it will have 2 supporting clusters : The 21st century education cluster as well as the "smart city" cluster and The 4.0 industrial center.
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Which airport closest as the entrance to the New Capital City later and as the entrances for tourists to Indonesia now?

While waiting for the construction of a new airport in the city center, SAMS Sepinggan in Balikpapan and ATP Pranoto in Samarinda (both in East Kalimantan Province) are the 2 closest airports as entrances to the new Nusantara Capital. It takes a bit of a road trip to reach the nation's Capital.
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Meanwhile, the airports used as entry points for tourists to Indonesia now are I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Hang Nadim Airport in Batam (Sumatra island) and Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport in Tanjung Pinang (Sumatra island).

What tourist attractions can be enjoyed around along with the construction of new capital city?

Currently, tourist attractions that can be enjoyed around the New Indonesian capital are:

1. Mahakam Bridge, Samarinda; Down at the Mahakam river from the chili boat enjoying the view of the city at dusk.
2. Pampang Dayak Tourism Village, Samarinda; Enjoy the distinctive culture of the Dayak tribe in the form of beautiful and meaningful regional dances. The dance is performed in the traditional house of the Dayak tribe, called "Lamin Pamung Tawai".
3. Nipah-Nipah Beach Tour
4. Penajam Charity Palace Beach; ATV Attractions, Restaurant, Street Food, Photo Spot, Homestay
5. Penajam Mangrove Ecotourism
6. Gusung Tanjung Jumlai Island; Experience Snorkeling coral reefs and fish
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In the future, is it worth to travel to this new capital city?

Of course, it is very feasible because you will have new experiences and as historical witnesses of the new city of “Nusantara” as the new capital city of Indonesia with the concept of an environmentally friendly city (eco green). In addition to tourism potential, there will also be many other potential business and investment opportunities that can be explored in that new city.

Meanwhile for the tourism, in other areas of Kalimantan (formerly known as “Borneo”); it also already has tourist attractions were previously known by the world such as:

1. The beautiful beaches of Derawan Island (East Kalimantan); Snorkeling and Diving
2. Lake Sentarum (West Kalimantan)
3. Tanjung Puting National Park (West Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan); Down the river by boat and watching the “Orang Utan” Conservation.
4. Muara Kuin Floating Market (Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan); A typical Kalimantan traditional market located above Barito river at the mouth of Kuin River.

Is Jakarta, which will no longer be the capital of the country, still worth visiting by tourists?

Of course, it is still valuable because Jakarta was first known as one of the largest and grandest metropolitan cities in the world, such as Tokyo, New York, and Paris, which have many facilities as a modern city.


Apart from Bali, Jakarta and the new capital “Nusantara”, what other cities are worth visiting for tourists in Indonesia?

Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Komodo Island, Labuan Bajo, Mandalika Beach (Nusa Tenggara), Raja Ampat (Papua), Likupang Beach (North Sulawesi), Yogyakarta and many more. 

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