KUCHING: Sarawak welcomes Indonesia’s decision to move its capital from Jakarta to a new site in Kalimantan, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“We are ready to cooperate if needed,” he told reporters at Program Korban Perdana organised by the Sarawak Islamic Council at Dewan Hikmah Petra Jaya yesterday.
During a recent visit to Kuala Lumpur, Indonesian President Joko Widodo issued a statement saying he hoped there would be closer cooperation between Sabah, Sarawak and Indonesia following his government’s decision to move the administrative centre to Kalimantan from Jakarta.
According to Joko, the decision could have a positive impact on the regional economy, especially the economies of Sabah and Sarawak. CNN Jakarta reported that the republic could move its administrative centre from Jakarta to Borneo as early as 2024.
Joko is expected to decide on the location of the administrative centre either in central Kalimantan, eastern Kalimantan or in southern Kalimantan this month.
Meanwhile, Program Korban Perdana was also attended by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib.
