Indonesia is moving its capital from the polluted, overcrowded and sinking city of Jakarta to a sparsely populated region on the island of Borneo, famous for its rainforests and orangutans
As it is, 54% of the country's 270 million-strong population live on Java, making it by far the most densely populated area in Indonesia.
Mr Widodo told reporters:"We couldn't continue to allow the burden on Jakarta and Java island to increase in terms of population density.Last month, the leader said he wanted to separate the centre of government from the county's business hub in Jakarta, which is home to 30 million people if its greater metropolitan area is included.The city is prone to earthquakes and flooding and is sinking due to the uncontrolled extraction of ground water.
President Widodo said experts chose the location as it carried minimal risk of flooding, earthquakes, forest fires, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. He said his government was still drafting a law on the new capital, which will have to be passed by the country's parliament.
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