Indonesian govt seeks public opinions on capital relocation policies. But critics unconvinced

President Joko Widodo (centre) pours water brought by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (right), as East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor (third left) looks on, during a Kendi Nusantara ritual at the site for Indonesia's new capital city Nusantara in East Kalimantan on March 14. - Courtesy of Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): The government has started a public consultation on draft regulations from the recently passed law legalising the capital relocation, but critics have said the gesture is just for show.

At least 170 representatives from civil groups, indigenous groups, state institutions and ministries, as well as scholars were invited to the forum that was held on Tuesday (March 22) and Wednesday in Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, about an hour's drive from the new capital city of Nusantara.