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Published: 16:36, March 14, 2022 | Updated: 23:55, March 14, 2022
Jokowi launches construction of Indonesia's new capital
By Leonardus Jegho in Jakarta
Published:16:36, March 14, 2022 Updated:23:55, March 14, 2022 By Leonardus Jegho in Jakarta

This handout photo taken and released on March 14, 2022 from the Presidential Palace shows Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (C-white shirt) mixing water and samples of soil from 34 provinces during a ceremony in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan on March 14, 2022, as the government prepares to move its capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan. (HANDOUT / PRESIDENTIAL PALACE / AFP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday officially launched the construction of the country’s new capital in East Kalimantan.

As many as 60,000 government employees, military and police personnel will reportedly be relocated from Jakarta to the new capital, called Nusantara, in Penajam Paser Utara regency in East Kalimantan by the end of 2023.

As many as 60,000 government employees, military and police personnel will reportedly be relocated from Jakarta to the new capital, called Nusantara, by the end of 2023

“Today, we gathered here for our big aspiration and for the big work that we will begin to carry out soon, namely the building of the state capital Nusantara,” Widodo said in his speech.

 “This is the form of our unity in diversity, the strong unity among us.”

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The ceremony started at around 10 am with governors solemnly taking turns in handing over to the president a small bag of earth and a pot of water taken from their own areas.

Chairman of People’s Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo, East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor and First Lady Iriana accompanied the president.

Widodo then poured all the earth and water into large pots to symbolize the national unity envisioned under the new capital.

In the Indonesian language, the fatherland is called “Tanah Air” that literally means earth and water.

The president thanked the governors and said the collaboration among the central government, regional governments, the military, police, the private sector, and the whole community will be very vital in realizing the country’s dream to have a new capital.

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As many as 34 provincial governors from across the country attended the event. Also participating were Chairman of People’s Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo; IKN Nusantara Authority chief Bambang Susantono and his deputy, Dhony Rahajoe; several cabinet ministers; and 15 traditional group leaders from East Kalimantan. 


The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.    




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