Cilangkahan Village Heads Appeal to Banten Legislators for Swift Administrative Division

Several village heads (kades) from the Cilangkahan area in Lebak Regency, Banten, paid a courtesy visit to DPR RI member for the Lebak-Pandeglang electoral district, Bonnie Triyana, at the DPR RI complex in Jakarta on Monday, 30 March 2026.

The audience discussed efforts to divide Cilangkahan into a new autonomous regency, a process that has been ongoing for more than 20 years.

Those present included the Head of Bayah Timur Village, Jaro Rafik; Head of Rahong Village, Malingping, Jaro Bedi; Head of Bejod Village, Wanasalam, Jaro Rohmat; Head of Katapang Village, Wanasalam, Jaro Emed; and Head of Sumber Waras Village, Malingping, Jaro Usuf.

“We came all the way from Cilangkahan. This is a representation from the village heads across the Cilangkahan region. First, it’s a courtesy visit to you, Mr Bonnie. Second, there are many issues, many problems, many aspirations we want to convey. And the biggest one is about Cilangkahan,” said Rafiq during the meeting.

The village heads emphasised that their presence represented all elements of Cilangkahan society, including youth and ordinary residents. They noted that the region’s natural resource and economic potential is vast, yet constrained by limited access and public services.

“Those who know the conditions in Cilangkahan, the concerns of Cilangkahan’s people, are us village heads. Who are essentially representatives of all societal elements in Cilangkahan. That’s why our purpose here isn’t just to bring ordinary matters, but extraordinary ones that represent tens of thousands of people in Cilangkahan,” explained a village head representative.

One of the main factors driving the division aspiration is the long travel distance to Lebak Regency’s capital in Rangkasbitung. The village heads mentioned that the journey from Cilangkahan to Rangkasbitung takes about three and a half hours, while the distance to Sukabumi in West Java is actually closer.

“Because the needs of the people demand the formation of this division. So, our people shouldn’t shift to West Java,” said one of the village heads.

Bonnie Triyana, who is also a native son of Lebak, stated that the Cilangkahan region, located in southern Banten, has been struggling for decades to become an autonomous area separate from Lebak Regency. According to this member of DPR RI’s Commission X, the administrative requirements for the division are deemed to have been fulfilled.