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Indonesia’s capital

Government officials revived calls to move Indonesia’s capital as severe flooding and gridlock hit the capital with increasing regularity in November.

 

In a city of 9 million, less than half the population has access to clean water, and only around 3 percent have proper sewage facilities. Parks cover less than 1/10th of the city.

 

Regional official Laode Ina told a seminar in late November that the problem would only worsen if action was not taken to overcome social and environmental inequalities. Ina and others believe the best solution is simply to move the capital, since they say many of the problems are too entrenched.

 

But urban planners say moving the capital is too costly and that not many residents and lawmakers would actually leave.

 

Overcrowding is just one factor, worsened by a growing number of vehicles. According to automobile associations, the number of cars and motorcycles has surpassed the city's population.

 

Despite warnings by experts that unbridled urban development would harm the environment, other Jakarta official’s say moving that capital could harm the country’s growth, since the economic benefits pouring in to Indonesia’s capital were enormous.

 

Hasan Basri, the city secretary’s economic and administrative assistant, said retail, trade and service sectors accounted for 72 percent of the city’s economy, valued at $84 billion last year.

 

“Investment creates jobs, so when people start demanding that the development of malls and other construction be stopped, that needs to be carefully discussed,” Hasan told the Jakarta Globe.

 

Increasing interest from foreign investors is likely to compound the problem, as businesses and trade associations seek to draw in more capital for expansion.

 

Source: Jakarta Globe