Indonesian President Joko Widodo has announced plans to shift Indonesia’s capital city from Jakarta to the province of East Kalimantan on Borneo Island.

The region was chosen for being relatively free from earthquakes and volcanos. Indonesia plans to relocate from Jakarta because the city is overpopulated and faces severe congestion. Jakarta is also sinking 10 to 20 centimeters per year due to extreme land subsidence.

According to CNN, “A worsening air pollution crisis, exacerbated by near-constant traffic congestion on its roads, has grown so dire that some residents sued the Indonesian government in July.”

The Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted President Widodo in a televised speech saying, “As a large nation that has been independent for 74 years, Indonesia has never chosen its own capital. The burden Jakarta is holding right now is too heavy as the center of governance, business, finance, trade and services.”

The Indonesian government said it wants to build a smart, green city. A government official was quoted by the South China Morning Post as saying they would not disturb any existing protected forest because the island is filled with tropical rainforests.

If President Widodo’s plan is approved by the Indonesian parliament, the new capital will begin construction next year.