Banten's islands claim rejected

JAKARTA: The city administration rejected on Monday a claim by Banten province that 22 islands in Kepulauan Seribu (Seribu Islands) regency belonged to the province.

"The islands belong to us according to the law. Banten may claim the islands, but they should change the law first," City Governor Sutiyoso said, referring to Law No. 34/1999 on the Jakarta administration.

He said government regulation No. 55/2001 on Kepulauan Seribu regency also strengthened the argument that they belonged to the city.

Newly established Banten Council reportedly planned to set up a special team to prepare for the acquisition of the islands, which are located to the north of Jakarta.

Earlier, Tangerang regency, in Banten province, also claimed that the islands belonged to the regency, since they were located nearer to Tangerang than Jakarta.

Separately, city councillor Tjuk Sudono of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said Banten's claim to the islands was an overreaction to the regional autonomy program. Such a reaction could make provinces fight each other in their own interests, he said. --JP