• UGI USER
  • Jun 06, 2024
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INDONESIA TO START WORKING FROM NEW CAPITAL IN JULY 2024

Why in the news?

  • Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced plans to begin working from the new capital city, Nusantara, starting next month.
  • The announcement follows concerns about the project’s future after senior executives overseeing development resigned.
source:worldmap

About Nusantara, New Capital of Indonesia

  • In April 2019, President Joko Widodo cited rising sea levels and severe congestion on Java as reasons for the move.
  • Jakarta is located on Java’s northwest coast.
  • Indonesian parliament approved relocating the capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan, Borneo Island.
  • New capital named ‘Nusantara,’ a Javanese term for the Indonesian archipelago.
  • Move aims to address Jakarta’s congestion, floods, and air pollution issues.
  • Indonesia’s largest islands: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi, and Papua (New Guinea).
  • Jakarta’s Issues:
  • Serious infrastructure problems, flooding worsened by climate change; potential for one-third underwater by 2050.
  • Overcrowded and extremely polluted, housing over 30 million in the metro area.
  • Overpopulation and relentless construction in Jakarta hinder water absorption, causing run-off.
About Kalimantan, Borneo Island:

Kalimantan

  • Nearly four times larger than Jakarta, but contributes less than 10% of GDP.
  • Centrally located in Indonesia’s 17,000-island archipelago.

Borneo Island

  • Third-largest island globally, largest in Asia.
  • Southeast of Malay Peninsula, part of Greater Sunda Islands.
  • Bordered by the South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Java Sea.
  • Divided among Indonesia (Kalimantan), Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah), and Brunei.
  • Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak at 13,455 feet (4,101 meters).
  • Largely mountainous with extensive lowlands, often swampy coasts.
  • Kalimantan constitutes 73% of Borneo’s area, forming its Indonesian portion.

About Sea Level Rise (SLR):

  • Thermal Expansion: Warmer oceans expand, contributing to SLR.
  • Melting Glaciers: Increased melting of glaciers and reduced snowfall raise sea levels.
  • Ice Sheets Loss: Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets melt and move faster into the sea.