Capital City Relocation: A Comparison of the Social Impacts of Putrajaya Malaysia and Nusantara Indonesia

Yumasdaleni; Syafuan  Rozi; Otto Trengginas  Setiawan; Fauzan Anyasfika; Nor Suzylah Sohaimi

doi:10.55960/jlri.v13i4.1160

Yumasdaleni Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN), Jakarta, Indonesia
Syafuan Rozi Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN)
Otto Trengginas Setiawan Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN)
Fauzan Anyasfika Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN)
Nor Suzylah Sohaimi Universiti Utara Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55960/jlri.v13i4.1160

Keywords: Capital City Relocation, Ibu Kota Nusantara, Putrajaya, Social Impacts, Sustainable Development

Abstract

Purpose: This study discusses how capital city relocation influences society through a comparison of Putrajaya in Malaysia and IKN in Indonesia.

Study Design/Methodology/Approach: TThe study uses qualitative approach and critical literature review supported by field observations and interview with community leaders, residents, and government officials in East Kalimantan. The secondary data consist of policy papers, academic publications and media reports.

Findings: Although Putrajaya has successfully transformed into a modern administrative centre, however there is ongoing social issues like evictions, livelihood erosion, and weakened community cohesion. In contrast, IKN settlement is still in process but has potential risks of land conflicts and socio-economic disparities.

Originality/Value: The novelty of this study lies in comparing the cases of Indonesia and Malaysia to demonstrate how strengthening Tri Gatra through land security and spatial planning, and strengthening Panca Gatra through socio-political governance, can form the basis for a capital city relocation policy that is just, inclusive, and in line with national resilience.

Author Biographies

Syafuan Rozi, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN)

Syafuan Rozi is a Senior Researcher and Main Mentor (Madya IVd) at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), where he coordinates the Economic Politics and Strategic Issues (EPIS) Cluster under the Deputy for Social and Community Sciences. He earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Political Science from the University of Indonesia (UI).
His research spans a wide array of topics including nationalism, identity politics, political parties and elections, bureaucratic reform, public policy, border politics, conflict resolution, and peace studies. He also lectures at IISIP Jakarta and UI, focusing on public policy politics and political science.
Syafuan Rozi is known for his contributions to parliamentary studies, political representation, and the politics of marginalized communities. His work bridges academic inquiry with strategic policy analysis, making him a key figure in Indonesia’s political research landscape

Otto Trengginas Setiawan, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN)

Otto Trengginas Setiawan is an Indonesian researcher and policy analyst with a background in parliamentary affairs, having previously worked at the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat, MPR). His academic interests include urban development, democratic spatial practices, and the politics of minority communities in Indonesia.

Fauzan Anyasfika, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN)

Fauzan Anyasfika is a historian and researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia. He previously worked at the National Archives of Indonesia, where he deepened his expertise in archival research and historical documentation.
His scholarly interests center on the history of sultanates in Borneo, regional political dynamics, and the cultural heritage of maritime Southeast Asia. Fauzan’s work combines archival rigor with field-based inquiry, contributing to a richer understanding of Indonesia’s plural past and its relevance to contemporary identity and governance.

References

Abdullah, J., Ahmad, R., & Zainal, M. H. (2020). 25 years of putrajaya engineered landscapes: trend and perspectives. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 5(15), 239–246.

Adinugroho, W. C., Prasetyo, L. B., Kusmana, C., & Krisnawati, H. (2022). Tracking environmental quality of Indonesia’s new capital city and its surrounding area. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 950(1), 12077.

Alfi, M., Yundari, N. P., & Tsaqif, A. (2023). Analisis Risiko Keamanan Siber dalam Transformasi Digital Pelayanan Publik di Indonesia. Jurnal Kajian Stratejik Ketahanan Nasional, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.7454/jkskn.v6i2.10082

Amin, A., & Graham, S. (1997). The Ordinary City. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 22(4), 411–429. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0020-2754.1997.00411.x

Borhan, M. N., Syamsunur, D., Mohd Akhir, N., Mat Yazid, M. R., Ismail, A., & Rahmat, R. A. (2014). Predicting the use of public transportation: a case study from Putrajaya, Malaysia. The Scientific World Journal, 2014(1), 784145.

Cantelmi, R., Di Gravio, G., & Patriarca, R. (2021). Reviewing Qualitative Research Approaches in the Context of Critical Infrastructure Resilience. Environment Systems and Decisions, 41(3), 341–376. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-020-09795-8

Chang, C.-M., & Hsu, M.-H. (2016). Understanding the determinants of users’ subjective well-being in social networking sites: An integration of social capital theory and social presence theory. Behaviour & Information Technology, 35(9), 720–729. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3170-1

Devinta, L., & Addiansyah, M. N. R. (2024). Politik Peminggiran Masyarakat Adat Dibalik Pembangunan IKN Nusantara. Masyarakat Indonesia, 50(2), 301–316.

Dyastari, L., & Candra, A. A. (2022). The role and response of the people of East Kalimantan regarding the transfer of the national capital. International Journal Of Education, Social Studies, And Management (IJESSM), 92–100.

Faturahman, A. A., Syahril, A. M., Marta, I., Fauzi, R., & Septian, M. A. (2024). Dampak Positif dan Negatif Pemindahan Ibu Kota Negara (IKN). Jurnal Perencanaan Wilayah Dan Pembangunan, 2(1), 17–29.

Firnaherera, V. A., & Lazuardi, A. (2022). Development of the Nusantara Capital City: Anticipating the Issues of the Indigenous Peoples’ Land. Jurnal Studi Kebijakan Publik, 1(1), 71–84. https://doi.org/10.21787/jskp.1.2022.71-84

FISIP Universitas Indonesia. (2020). Kajian Aspek Sosial Pemindahan Ibu Kota Negara.

Foley, K., McLean, C., De Zylva, R., Asa, G., Maio, J., Batchelor, S., Dzando, G., & Dimassi, A. (2025). Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature Reviews. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 24, 16094069251316248.

Hanita, M. (2020). Ketahanan nasional: teori, adaptasi, dan strategi. UI Publishing. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=t3W0zgEACAAJ

Hikmawan, R. (2020). Redefinisi Ketahanan Nasional Guna Mewujudkan Ketahanan Regional di Asia Tenggara. Jurnal Ilmu Hubungan Internasional LINO, 01(01), 72–97. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31605/lino.v1i1.828

Hilal, N. A.-D. M., Komariah, K., & Ramelan, A. H. (2024). The multifaceted implications and challenges of relocating Indonesia’s capital city: A comprehensive review of socio-economic, environmental, urban planning, and policy considerations. Sustinere: Journal of Environment and Sustainability, 8(3), 375–396.

Ishenda, D. K., & Guoqing, S. (2019). Determinants in Relocation of Capital Cities. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 9(4), 200–220. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v9i4.15983.

Jiang, K. (2023). Transportation System Evolution During Garden City Construction and Its Environmental and Economical Impacts in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology, 37(1), 82–88. https://doi.org/10.54097/hset.v37i.6042

Khavarian-Garmsir, A. R., Pourahmad, A., Hataminejad, H., & Farhoodi, R. (2019). Climate Change and Environmental Degradation and the Drivers of Migration in the Context of Shrinking Cities: A Case Study of Khuzestan Province, Iran. Sustainable Cities and Society, 47(1), 101480. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101480

Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its Methodology. SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=nE1aDwAAQBAJ

Majizat, A., Ahmad, B., Noordin, N., & Sharip, Z. (2016). Adopting an Integrated Catchment-Based Management Approach for Putrajaya Lake and Wetlands. International Journal of Water, 10(4), 343–358. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1504/IJW.2016.079701

Marchettini, N. (2004). The Sustainable City III: Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (illustrate).

Mohamad, N. D., Ash’aari, Z. H., & Kamal, N. I. A. (2020). Water Demand Estimation Based On Land Use In Urban City. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 9(6), 545–550.

Moser, S. (2010). Putrajaya: Malaysia’s New Federal Administrative Capital. Cities, 27(4), 285–297. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2009.11.002

Muluk bin Abd Manan, A., & Suprayitno, H. (2025). Preliminary Overview of Several Capital Relocations in Relationship with a Plan of Indonesian Capital Relocation. Journal of Infrastructure & Facility Asset Management, 2(1), 73–90.

Narayanan, S. (2017). Putrajaya New Town Development, Force Displacement And Resettlement: The Social Impacts on The Original Settlers. Journal of Education and Social Science, 7(1), 31–37.

Nopi Nopita Sari, Fatya, A., Sinta Sinta, Bunga Sovia Erik, Amelia Rahmi, Siti Aisyah, Bambang Trisno, Sari, N. N., Fatya, A., Sinta, S., Erik, B. S., Rahmi, A., Aisyah, S., & Trisno, B. (2024). Urgensi Ketahanan Nasional dan Bela Negara Bagi Bangsa Indonesia. Politika Progresif : Jurnal Hukum, Politik Dan Humaniora, 1(3), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.62383/progres.v1i3.467

Nugroho, D. (2022). Bentuk Ibu Kota Negara Nusantara Dalam Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia. The Indonesian Journal of Politics and Policy, 4(1), 33–62.

Nurhidayat, & Rahman, A. (2023). Masyarakat Adat Kabupaten Penajam Paser Utara Dan Kutai Kartanegara Kalimantan Timur Di Tengah Pembangunan Ibu Kota Negara: Sebuah Kajian Antropologi Ekologi. Pinisi Journal of Art, Humanity, and Social Studies, 5(3), 43–52.

Perwira, I., Harijanti, S. D., Susanto, M., & Adhihernawan, M. Y. (2024). Capital city relocation in Indonesia: compromise failure and potential dysfunction. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1), 2345930.

Rachmawati, R., Haryono, E., Ghiffari, R. A., Reinhart, H., Permatasari, F. D., & Rohmah, A. A. (2021). Best Practices of Capital City Relocation in Various Countries: Literature Review. E3S Web of Conferences, 325. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202132507004

Rachmawati, R., Rachmadani, P., Anifa, V. N., & Lutfiana, F. (2020). Various ICT-based applications and their uses to support smart city implementation in the Regency of Blora. E3S Web Conf., 200.

Rasdi, M. T. M., Kanesh, K., Utaberta, N., & Asif, N. (2020). An Historical Study of The Ministry of Federal Territories building in Putrajaya within the Perspective of the Discourse on the National Architectural Identity of Administrative Architecture. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 436(1), 12020.

Robinson, J. (2013). Ordinary cities: Between modernity and development (1st Editio). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203506554

Rossman, V. (2018). Capital cities: Varieties and patterns of development and relocation. Routledge.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students by Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 8th edition. In Research Methods For Business Students.

Shimamura, T., & Mizunoya, T. (2020). Sustainability prediction model for capital city relocation in Indonesia based on inclusive wealth and system dynamics. Sustainability, 12(10), 4336.

Sofian, D. D., Hanafiah, M. M., Woon, K. S., & Hassan, F. M. (2023). Characteristics of consumer towards development of sustainable e-waste management in Malaysia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1167(1), 12043.

Su, Y., Xue, H., & Liang, H. (2019). An Evaluation Model for Urban Comprehensive Carrying Capacity: An Empirical Case from Harbin City. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 367. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16030367

Sumarno. (2020). Pembelajaran dari Malaysia dalam Pemindahan Ibu Kota Negara.

Suryohadiprojo, S. (1997). Ketahanan Nasional Indonesia. Jurnal Ketahanan Nasional, 2(1), 13–32. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22146/jkn.19163.

Taquette, S. R., & da Matta Souza, L. M. (2022). Ethical dilemmas in qualitative research: A critical literature review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 21, 16094069221078732.

Taufiq, M. (2020). Pemindahan ibu kota dan potensi konektivitas pemerataan ekonomi. Jurnal Vokasi Indonesia, 8(1), 3.

Tukimun, Soeri, V., & Suharto. (2022). Konsep Perencanaan Infrastruktur Transportasi Smart, Integrated Sustainable & Environment Friendly di Kawasan Ibu Kota Negara (IKN) Nusantara. Kurva S: Jurnal Keilmuan Dan Aplikasi Teknik Sipil, 10(2), 59-75https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tukimun-. https://doi.org/10.31293/teknikd

Undang-undang (UU) Nomor 21 Tahun 2023 tentang Perubahan atas Undang-Undang Nomor 3 Tahun 2022 tentang Ibu Kota Negara, 56 (2023).

Undang-undang (UU) Nomor 3 Tahun 2022, 30 (2022).

Wang, C., Myint, S. W., Fan, P., Stuhlmacher, M., & Yang, J. (2018). The Impact of Urban Expansion on the Regional Environment in Myanmar: a Case Study of Two Capital Cities. Landscape Ecology, 33(5), 765–782. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-018-0632-1

Widadio, N. A., & Budhi, O. (2024). Masyarakat Lokal “Merasa Terusir” dari Tanah Mereka saat IKN Digadang jadi “Magnet Eknomi Baru” - “Kami Tidak Akan Melihat Kota Itu.” BBC News Indonesia.

Zainal, I., Ismail, R. S., Prasetya, K. H., Mappangile, A. S., Thaba, A., Mahmut, A. K., Amrul, A., & Mahmut, C. (2025). Relocating or Retaining the Capital City of Jakarta - Evaluation the Feasibility, Sustainability, and Strategic Planning of Indonesia in Facing the Challenges of Relocating the National Capital from a Multidimension Perspective. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 9(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd10920