The Acting Regent Of PPU Responds To The Name Of Nusantara, The New Capital City: Representing Indonesia's Pluralism

Acting Regent of North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, Hamdam Pongrewa/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

PENAJAM PASER UTARA - Acting Regent of Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, Hamdam Pongrewa called Nusantara the name of the new capital city representing all elements of Indonesia's pluralism.

"The name Nusantara for the new nation's capital already represents all regions in Indonesia," said Hamdam Pongrewa as quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 20.

"Nusantara is the name of the capital city, we value it as a good and very national name," he continued.

People who do not agree with the election of Nusantara for the name of the new capital city of Indonesia, according to him, is a natural thing.

The pros and cons are reasonable and legitimate, he continued, the naming of the archipelago has been through the study and consideration of the central government.

A number of East Kalimantan academics, said Hamdam Pongrewa, had provided input for the name of the new state capital.

"There are several names for the new state capital proposed by academics in East Kalimantan, one of which is Pakunagara," he said.

Pakunagara is an acronym for Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kartanegara whose territory is included in the new capital city of Indonesia.

The new National Capital Law was passed by the DPR on Tuesday, January 18.

After the Draft Law on the State Capital is passed into law, the head of state shall determine the name for the new capital city of Indonesia.

President Joko Widodo designated Nusantara as the name of the new state capital in parts of Penajam Paser Utara Regency and parts of Kutai Kartanegara Regency to replace DKI Jakarta.