Dire conditions in South Banten

Dire conditions in South Banten

From Kompas

It is indeed not an exaggeration to say that South Banten is the most backward region in Java, even more so than North Banten.

We do not feel humiliated, and we are not jealous either, that other regions are more developed. We only lament this situation if development results in evictions and if dollar and rupiah capitalists clear away land, making the local people their "errand boys".

It is saddening that the development of South Banten (Pandeglang) has so far focused on the physical aspects only. Even this is very limited in scope. The roads are extremely damaged and electric poles lie scattered everywhere. The situation is worsened by the arrival of a growing number of crazy people clad in rags or nothing at all. It is not known where they come from. South Banten nowadays seems to be identical with imbalance and craziness.

ENENG MULYANAH

Pucung, West Java