There are good reasons why Indonesia wants to move its capital city away from Jakarta, but any move faces significant obstacles. The main reason for wanting to move is that Jakarta is sinking. According to some estimates, 95% of north Jakarta will be underwater in 30 years time, impacting nearly 2m people. Other reasons why President Joko Widodo has proposed the move is to alleviate congestion and overcrowding. Relocating the capital would also boost development in some of the country’s poorest islands, a key government priority.
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