Banten group asks to go it alone

BANDUNG: The Banten Communication and Aspiration Forum (FAMB) has officially submitted a request to secede from West Java and form an independent province.

A group comprising local councilors and students representing Banten conveyed their request to West Java Governor Nuriana during a meeting.

"The governor promised to look into the matter immediately and channel the aspirations to the central government," Edi Mulyadi, the forum's coordinator, said on Monday afternoon.

The governor also promised to work on the technical details of the proposal, Edi said, adding that there remained no regulation on forging new provinces or regency.

"We hope such government rules can be regulated in March," he said.

The proposal for establishing the province of Banten was submitted to the consultative board of the House of Representatives in Jakarta for further discussion earlier this week.(25/27/edt)