Jakarta Should Remain Capital City: DPRD Chairman

Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Dec 10 (Antara) - South Kalimantan Provincial Legislative Assembly (DPRD) Chairman Nasib Alamsyah has said Jakarta should remain the capital city of Indonesia. "Relocation of the capital city to another island in Indonesia will not necessarily solve the problems of Jakarta," Nasib added before attending the DPRD plenary meeting here on Tuesday. He made the remark after a recent seminar in Jakarta renewed discussions about relocating the capital city to Kalimantan island. Nasib said he believes it would help matters if some government activities are relocated outside Jakarta, which is located on the Java islands. "We can solve the problems in Jakarta by relocating some ministries to other islands across the country," he noted. For instance, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) can relocate to Maluku province, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources can shift to Papua province, the Ministry of Forestry can relocate to Central Kalimantan, the Ministry of Social Affairs can move to East Nusa Tenggara, the Ministry of Environment can relocate to South Kalimantan and the Ministry of Trade can operate from the Riau Islands province, he pointed out. "The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the National Police, Defense and Security Ministry and the Presidential Palace will remain in Jakarta," he added, noting that the shifts in some ministries could resolve the issues plaguing the capital city. In addition, provinces with ministries would benefit from a faster pace of development, he said. The Golkar Party politician noted that further discussions would be required on the issue of relocating the capital city from Jakarta to another location outside the Java islands. "We definitely do not want to give the impression that by relocating the state`s capital, we are shifting the problems from Jakarta to another city," he added.