South Kalimantan wants new capital

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The provincial council has principally agreed to the local administration's plan to relocate the provincial capital from Banjarmasin to Banjarbaru, its deputy speaker, Husin Kasah, said here on Saturday.

According to Husin, Governor Gusti Hasan Aman in a letter dated May 17 has asked the council to support the relocation.

The appeal to relocate the capital to Banjarbaru is the third time in the history of South Kalimantan, he said.

The other two attempts were in the form of a resolution in 1958 and 1964, Husin added.

The council has set up a special team to collect data and suggestions from the public about the plan, he said.

"The team members have begun work and the results will be handed over to the governor," Husin explained.

The councilor insisted that the administration had no timeframe for the plan.

"One thing is for sure, and that is that the move will not be done soon," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Banjarbaru is located about 25 kilometers south of Banjarmasin.