Jakarta [Indonesia], November 5 (ANI): The shifting of Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to Nusantara is not only about the country's efforts to escape floods and crowds, but it also has economic and geopolitical ramifications.
The Interpreter, published by The Lowy Institute in its report said that the capital shift reflects the country's growing strategic and economic power projection ambitions.
Nusantara (East Kalimantan), which in Bahasa Indonesia means archipelago, is an interesting choice for the new capital.
It has been argued that the relocation is driven by geographic factors, namely its position in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago as well as it being an area free of disasters that often hit Indonesia, whether earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or tsunamis, reported The Interpreter.
Moreover, shifting its capital to East Kalimantan will position Indonesia's locus closer to areas of most interest, namely the Celebes Sea, Arafura Sea, and the Pacific Ocean.
It is no secret that Indonesia aims to position itself as a dynamic Indo-Pacific power exploiting its formidable centrally located position. Indonesia's vision for a "Global Maritime Fulcrum" and its part in shaping the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific are testament to its desire to play that role, reported The Interpreter.
Taken together with developments Indonesia is undertaking on and around Natuna Island, its objective to be a maritime player is clear to see.
