Banjarbaru becomes capital of South Kalimantan

Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Banjarbaru City has officially become the capital of South Kalimantan Province, replacing Banjarmasin City following the ratification of the provincial draft bill (RUU) into law by the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).

It is stated in the South Kalimantan Provincial Law chapter II, article 4 that the capital city of South Kalimantan is located in Banjarbaru.

Mayor of Banjarbaru H M Aditya Mufti Ariffin here on Friday was grateful for the designation of the city he leads as the capital and views it as a shared mandate and responsibility of all parties.

"Alhamdulillah, we are grateful for the determination. Of course, it is our joint task to further advance the City of Banjarbaru through increasing levels in various sectors, from infrastructure to public services," he said.

According to Aditya, the determination of Banjarbaru as the capital will have an impact on regional progress considering the plan to move the state capital (IKN) to East Kalimantan will deliver Banjarbaru as the main buffer zone representing South Kalimantan.

"Banjarbaru as a buffer for the new state capital, of course everything must be prepared more thoroughly. There are many challenges ahead and we believe that all of them are part of the transformation of Banjarbaru's progress so that it requires the support of all parties," he said.

Previously, the DPR RI in a plenary meeting on Tuesday (February 15, 2022) officially ratified seven bills on the province to become laws (UU), one of which was South Kalimantan.

The bills that were passed into law are the Laws for the Provinces of South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan.

Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian expressed his appreciation to all parties for their dedication that the bills for the seven provinces could be finalized.

"Alhamdulillah, seven laws have been passed for seven provinces," said the minister in an official statement on Antaranews.com.