Lee Khoi Yun
MIRI: The relocation of Indonesia’s capital to East Kalimantan which was announced by Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo may be viewed as a positive decision which could bring great changes to Borneo.
Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak (ACCCIS) president Lee Khoi Yun said that the upcoming development could bring more employment and business opportunities for the people of Borneo including Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei.
He noted that traffic congestion, dense population, pollution, floods and gradual sinking of current capital city of Jakarta were some of the reasons cited for the decision.
“While we are hoping that the development in the new capital could be more environment-friendly and under control, we are looking at a huge potential of development that could benefit the Borneo island and its people,” he added.
More importantly, he said, the new capital to be located near Balikpapan and Samarinda City, would be near Miri Division.
Lee does not foresee any potential problem with the new capital’s proximity to Sarawak.
“Besides, it is undeniable that Sarawak’s culture, food and people have some similarities to that of Indonesia, I believe that it would not be hard for us for the new capital to be closer to us,” he said.