77 villages turn into subdistricts

77 villages turn into subdistricts

JAKARTA: The Tangerang Regental Council approved on Friday a
draft bylaw on making 77 villages in the regency subdistricts.

The council's plenary session to approve the bylaw was marked
by interruptions and walkouts by councillors who disagreed with
the decision.

Tangerang Regent Ismeth Iskandar said he was happy with the
decision, saying that he would enact the bylaw as soon as
possible, Tempointeraktif.com reported.

Late last month, the council failed to endorse the bylaw
because of violent demonstrations by the residents of five
villages, who were against the idea of making their villages
subdistricts.

They said the status change would make their villages less
democratic because subdistrict heads would be appointed by the
regents and not elected by villagers. --JP