"The relocation of the capital city to East Kalimantan area is quite appropriate based on the diversity that has been there for a long time. It means this area is a natural showcase (of diversity)," KSP's main expert, Wandy Tuturoong, said as quoted in KSP's written statement here on Thursday.
Tuturoong noted that based on the study on the transfer of the capital city from the socio-cultural aspect conducted by the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) in 2019, the composition of East Kalimantan's population is quite diverse.
He detailed that 30.2 percent, or 1,356,504 people of East Kalimantan were Javanese; 20.6 percent, or 924,236 people, are Bugis; 12.4 percent, or 557,953 people, are Banjarese; 9.3 percent, or 417,006, are Dayak people, and 7.7 percent, or 346,084, are Kutai people.
"If we look at the data, the main challenge is how to preserve the diversity and maintain the values of tolerance and public ethics. Now that challenge will be answered by the relocation of the capital city," he stated.
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The KSP main expert also noted that relocation of the state capital would also showcase transformation of the environment, technological advancements, public services, and quality health and education.
"Since we are constructing the new capital city from scratch, do not do it half-heartedly. All the best ideas must be realized, and all the big challenges of becoming a developed country must be anticipated," he remarked.
Earlier, at the 2022 Mandiri Investment Forum on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, President Joko Widodo conveyed that development of the new capital city in East Kalimantan is part of the various transformations.
The new capital, named Nusantara, will become a showcase of transformation in the environment, working methods, economic base, technology, including quality education and health services, and social order that upholds the values of tolerance and public ethics.
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Translator: Indra Arief, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
