Towards a new national capital

Towards a new national capital

The suggestion of Dimjati M. of Semarang, Central Java, to move the nation's capital from Jakarta to a different location (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 22) must not be dismissed as a silly idea. The crazy traffic congestion and growing incidence of sadistic crimes are reasons why the idea should be considered.

Dimjati's idea is one of courage and vision, though moving the capital to Bogor has been heard before.

In 1952, communications minister Djuanda brought up a plan to move the capital to Bogor in a cabinet meeting, held in the prime minister's office on Jl. Pejambon in Central Jakarta. At that time, the Sukiman-Suwirjo coalition cabinet held the reigns of government under the parliamentary system. A blueprint was drafted and submitted to the cabinet meeting. Because the plan came from a very respected Djuanda, no opposition was voiced.

But the story goes that former President Sukarno disapproved of the plan. In the history of the struggle for independence, he regarded Jakarta as the cradle for nationalist aspirations, contemplations and resolutions for independence.

Now, however, the idea is less a patriotic issue than a pragmatic solution.

When I visited Canberra, I was deeply impressed by the quiet and dignified environment surrounding the city, in great contrast to bustling Sydney. The capital of Brazil, inaugurated in 1958, is located in the very center of Brazil and amid forests like those of Kalimantan or perhaps of Irian Jaya. In 1996, is Brasilia a success or a failure? Or has the capital moved back to Rio de Janeiro?

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