Proposal to rename Jawa Barat as Tatar Sunda draws scrutiny
Komisi II DPR is awaiting a formal proposal to the central government, as criticism emerges from Bekasi, Depok, Indramayu, and Cirebon.
The proposal to change the name of Jawa Barat Province to Tatar Sunda has prompted discussion at the central level as well as rejection from several areas. Deputy chairman of Komisi II DPR, Bahtra Banong, said DPR would only examine it further if a formal proposal is submitted to the central government, because a change of name affects regional administration and its urgency must be tested. In Jawa Barat, all DPRD factions were said to have given the green light for the proposal to move into the legislative stage. Chairman of Komisi I DPRD Jawa Barat Rahmat Hidayat Djati argued that the name change is needed to preserve Sunda identity. However, Bekasi historian Ali Anwar said the move could trigger ethnic sentiment because the culture in Bekasi, Depok, Pantura, Cirebon, and Indramayu is not entirely Sunda.