Jakarta is sinking - now they are forced to change the capital

 

Jakarta
The inauguration of Indonesia's new capital is postponed - the construction is not finished

Martin Palmborg

Published at 1:30 p.m

Jakarta is sinking.

This means that Indonesia is now forced to change its capital.

But the inauguration of the new Nusantara seat that was supposed to be held today has been moved forward because the construction is not complete.

Quick version

• The capital of Indonesia is moved from Jakarta to Nusantara due to the sinking of Jakarta, but the inauguration is postponed because the construction is not complete.
• Nusantara, located on the island of Borneo, is described as a futuristic green city but criticized for its impact on the environment and indigenous people.
• Jakarta will become uninhabitable by 2030 due to climate change, while Nusantara aims to avoid flooding and reach net zero emissions by 2045.

On Saturday, hundreds of officials and guests gathered in Nusantara to celebrate Indonesien's Indonesia's Independence Day. The idea was also to inaugurate the new capital located in the eastern parts of the island of Borneo.

But expectant Indonesians had to look out over lifting cranes and construction sites. Nusantara is still under construction and as they have not managed to keep to the schedule, it is now unclear when the shift will take place, AP writes.

ImagesJakarta is replaced by Nusantara. Photo: Getty Images

The construction of the capital has been criticized

In 2022, the first steps were taken for the new capital. Although the official opening has been postponed, several schools, banks and important government buildings have been put into use. Including the presidential palace where the country's president Joko Widodo held his first cabinet meeting at the end of July.

The construction is largely financed by private investors. The Indonesian state is only responsible for 20 percent of the total cost, which is around SEK 350 billion. To attract investors, Widodo has offered land rights lasting 190 years and generous tax breaks.

The government has described Nusantara as a futuristic green city, with abundant forests and parks, powered by renewable energy sources. But the project has been criticized as it worsens the conditions for endangered animals and the indigenous people believe that the land they feed on is being exploited.

New Presidential Palace in Nusantara. Photo: Achmad Ibrahim/AP

Jakarta is sinking – replaced by the 'mushroom city'

Jakarta with its 10.5 million inhabitants has been the capital since the country gained independence from the Netherlands in 1945.

But due to climate change, the city is sinking and by 2030 large parts will be uninhabitable or at high risk of flooding, writes the Washington Post.

Now city planners hope that Nusantara does not suffer the same fate. According to an Indonesian development report from 2023, the soil in the region will have the capacity to absorb large amounts of rain and thereby avoid flooding. That is why it is called the "mushroom city". The goal is also for Nusantara to have net zero emissions by 2045.

         

          President Joko Widodo, right, during Independence Day.