Indonesia to start building new capital city worth $34 billion in August - see pics

Updated: Jun 23, 2022, 11:50 PM(IST)

With a $34 billion plan to build a city from scratch, President Joko Widodo is pushing ahead with the construction of government buildings and other infrastructure in Indonesia's new capital from August onwards.

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The new capital

The new capital is said to be known by the name of Nusantara.

According to the Minister of Public Works, the government will start working on the development of basic infrastructures like water systems, sanitation and toll roads.

(Photograph:Reuters)

A move from Jakarta

With an intention to move wealth and development outside of the wealthiest island of Java, Indonesia plans to move its capital to East Kalimantan from Jakarta.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Threat to the rainforest

Although being criticised as being a threat to one of the world's oldest rainforests, Nusantara is being planned as an environmentally-friendly city that is going to rely entirely on renewable energy.

(Photograph:Reuters)

'Indonesia-centric'

President Jokowi claims that their idea is to be more Indonesian-centric and not Java-centric.

 "When we draw a line from west to east and north to south, the centre point is this East Kalimantan province," he added.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Support for the plan

On Wednesday, President Jokowi invited several media leaders to examine the site.

He also spoke with university students regarding the new capital in order to garner support for the plan.

(Photograph:Reuters)

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