Dede Yusuf: Proposal to Rename West Java to 'Tatar Sunda' Unnecessary

Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Dede Yusuf, has assessed that a proposal to change the name of West Java Province to the Province of Sunda or Tatar Sunda is not yet necessary. He argued that changing the name of a province could potentially create new problems because it involves historical and cultural aspects. “Sunda should be a more egalitarian region. Moreover, it is close to DKI. So, in a historical context as well, I personally think it is not yet necessary. But if it is to be proposed, it must be submitted through legislation,” Dede Yusuf said on Wednesday. Dede explained that a provincial name change cannot be decided solely at the regional level. According to him, changes to names or boundaries must go through discussion and approval by the DPR RI. “So, laws regarding provinces or regencies/cities must be decided in the DPR if you want to change the name. Boundaries, names, and so on. So, in our view, there is nothing yet; currently, it is still just a proposal,” he said.