Indonesia conducts water bombing to contain wildfires near future capital Nusantara

JAKARTA, September 6 - Indonesian authorities deployed water bombing operations on September 5 in an effort to contain wildfires encroaching upon the future capital city of Nusantara, according to a city official. The country is currently constructing Nusantara, a new capital city on the island of Borneo, to replace the congested and sinking Jakarta. The ongoing wildfires in Sumatra and Borneo, which have released a choking haze across Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, have prompted this preemptive measure.

Nusantara's development focuses on buffer areas outside the core city, where authorities have noticed a surge in fires since mid-August. To address this growing threat, Myrna Asnawati Safitri, deputy of the Nusantara authority's environment and natural resources department, stated that water bombing operations were conducted to not only extinguish the flames but also to hasten the cooling process in affected regions. Myrna further mentioned that the operation will continue until today and may be extended if needed.

The city's construction has thus far remained unaffected by the wildfires or the haze, according to Myrna. President Joko Widodo initiated the move to shift the capital from Jakarta in 2019 when he secured a second term, but the pace has slowed under the previous president, Prabowo Subianto. As president-elect, Prabowo indicated his intention to finish the capital move, yet he has not yet signed the decree required to transition away from Jakarta.

Prabowo's spokesman, Prasetyo Hadi, stated that Nusantara must be prepared to accommodate the executive, legislative, and judicial branches before the relocation can occur.