In an upcoming Thursday night episode of Foreign Correspondent, the focus turns to Indonesia’s ambitious plan to relocate its capital from Jakarta to a new site in Borneo. Jakarta, plagued by issues such as heavy traffic, severe air pollution, and sinking land, has prompted President Joko Widodo to take decisive action. In 2019, he unveiled a radical plan to move the capital city deep into the jungles of East Kalimantan on Borneo Island.
Foreign Correspondent’s Indonesia correspondent takes viewers on a journey to this remote location where construction is underway for the new city. The vision for this endeavor is one of cleanliness, environmental sustainability, and harmony with nature. However, critics argue that the project carries an astronomical price tag of $US45 billion and question whether it represents a prudent use of limited national resources.
As completion of the relocation project looms ahead, attention shifts to the incoming president who will ultimately determine its fate. While there are skeptics who view it as a white elephant project, at least for now there is continued support from Indonesian leadership.
Tune in to ABC TV on Thursday 7 March 2024 at 8.00pm for this latest episode of Foreign Correspondent.
