Bekasi to become a mayoralty

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Home Affairs proposed to the House of Representatives yesterday that Bekasi become a mayoralty.

Minister Yogie SM said Bekasi, now a Bekasi regency administrative town, would be more effective as a mayoralty.

He told a House plenary meeting the new status would improve public services and better support development efforts.

As a mayoralty the Bekasi administration would be more effective in improving political stability, Yogie was quoted by Antara as saying.

The Minister said the proposal was in line with state guidelines, and "meets the aspirations of both authorities and the Bekasi people."

According to plans the new mayoralty would cover the North, East, South and West Bekasi districts. Other districts are Pondokgede, Jatiasih and Bantargebang.

The mayoralty's area would become 214.62 square kilometers with a population of over 1 million. Population density is estimated to be 4,755 people per square kilometer.

Its revenue is predicted to reach Rp 23.19 billion per year, Yogie said.

Yesterday's meeting was chaired by House deputy Soetedjo of the ABRI faction. (anr)