Most Indonesians are aware of the proposed big move of our capital city from Jakarta to East Kalimantan that has been making headlines since the news broke back in 2019. Fast forward to 2021, and we are witnessing more concrete evidence that this is really happening, as the initial designs of the new presidential complex in East Kalimantan have now been released.
The pre-design, similar to a rough conceptual design, of the new presidential palace and its surroundings in the new capital city in East Kalimantan, was revealed to the public via social media by President Joko Widodo on 2nd April 2021. The design quickly drew attention and a slew of comments from the public for its humongous size and luxurious set-up.
Image credit: @jokowi
The pre-design of the presidential palace features a large Garuda and is inspired by the works of popular Balinese sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta. The mythical bird is the national emblem of Indonesia that symbolizes unity, and corresponds to the Indonesian motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika which means “unity in diversity”.
Image credit: @jokowi
Besides its symbolic significance, the new presidential complex also aims to be eco-friendly by preserving much of East Kalimantan’s forestry through building the presidential palace, offices, and mosques amongst nature, rather than completely clearing the forest.
Many have called this concept a “Forest City”, as the pre-design shows how rivers and gardens will be its mainstay features.
Image credit: @jokowi
Although it is still in the pre-design stage, a team of local architects is being gathered to start with the first stage of transforming the pre-design into a basic design, or blueprint.
So far, the bulk of the comments from netizens are critical of the design, saying that its budget is extravagant especially with our country’s current debts, and comparing it to an entrance of a zoo and a stage of a musical festival.
Image adapted from: Instagram
One netizen, said the government should focus on paying the country’s debts rather than spending money on over-the-top projects. Their comment in Indonesian can be roughly translated into, “Why are we getting so excited when there is no money…[we should] pay the debts first.”
Image adapted from: Instagram
Another netizen, said the higher the maintenance needed for a facility, the higher the budget. His comment is translated as, “Too exaggerated. High maintenance = exhausting the budget.”
Image adapted from: Instagram
Another netizen compared the new presidential palace to a Djakarta Warehouse Project stage. They wrote, “Feels like DWP with garuda land.”
But there are also a few netizens who commended the eco-friendly concept of the complex and showed support for the design.
Image adapted from: Instagram
One of them commented showing support for the design saying it’s very cool. “Haters gonna hate! By the way, this is very cool.”
Image adapted from: Instagram
Another expressed her support for the natural elements in the design, saying, “Good, that there are nature vibes to it so the environmental ‘lungs’ of Indonesia do not vanish.”
The presidential administration is targeting the presidential palace to be ready for use by 2024. That means the move to the new capital city will likely also be in the same year – which also happens to be the year of the next presidential election for Indonesia.
We hope the move to the new capital city can prove to be more fruitful to our country and the people.
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Cover image adapted from: @jokowi
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