“What a complex! Somebody could lost here, I guess”
The new Capital of South Kalimantan has been established in its new government complex, Banjarbaru. Consists of many goverment offices from different departments, it become a new history for South Kalimantan, a province in the largest island in Indonesia.
After being the oldest capital among other provincial capital in Kalimantan, Banjarmasin had to give that address to the “New Banjar”— Banjarbaru.
This moving was held because of several reason, but the main reason is — Banjarmasin wasn’t big enough to accomodate the needs of a provincial capital. Has been the center of economic, business, and political affairs of this province for decades — since the establishment of Kalimantan province, Banjarmasin became more and more crowded. The goverment decided to move the provincial capital— from the old and historical city to the new land, its neighbor.
Strategic position and more space it has makes Banjarbaru become ideal city as the new center of goverment affairs. Its solid conture and the ease of access also became the consideration of Banjarbaru as the new capital.
Other facilities and buildings had been built long before the decision has taken. Lambung Mangkurat University has their new buildings in Banjarbaru for years, since of limited land that available in Banjarmasin and other considerations. The provincial airport — Syamsuddin Noor Airport —also has been built for many years before. Getting used years by years and after the big renovation, it become the main airport in South Kalimantan.
This capital movement took many reactions of the society, especially the Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru residents. Some are agree because of several reasons, but some have different idea with this issue. Their main argument is the historical matter of Banjarmasin — asking back Banjarmasin to become capital’s province.
I don’t take this argument seriously — considering the historical matter as the excuse is unreasonable. The provincial goverment must have examined all of advantages and disadvantages and other preparations before. In the other side, I think that historical issue aren’t relatable to be a reason for Banjarmasin to keep their address as provincial capital.
For me, some of Banjarmasin’s residents and government thought is only a kind of “post-power syndrome” — since Banjarmasin are hundreds of years older than Banjarbaru. It was difficult to accept the reality that Banjarmasin was not no more than a historical city, not as the Capital of South Kalimantan.
If considering there was no urgency to move the capital, I would clearly say it’s wrong. The roads are more crowded, meanwhile Banjarmasin wasn’t able to accomodate the needs of mobility access — the traffic were getting more terrible. Buildings like housing and also other facilities — availability of lands — aren’t utterly enough to fullify the increasing needs of various affairs.
As the closing statement, I would like to ask you to consider and think more about this pollemic. Is it urgent enough to move the provincial capital to Banjarbaru? or the “asking-back” of this address and privilege by Banjarmasin government isn’t kind of sense?
