Ex-Deputy Governor Says Renaming West Java to Tatar Sunda Not Urgent
The former Deputy Governor of West Java for the 2008-2013 period believes that the proposal to change the province’s name to ‘Tatar Sunda’ is not urgent at this time.
Furthermore, Dede Yasa reminded that West Java is not composed solely of Sundanese culture or people. He noted that the province also encompasses various groups, from Betawi to Javanese. Therefore, he believes that changing the provincial name to ‘Tatar Sunda’ might make other cultures within West Java appear as minorities.
“Consequently, certain cultures might end up feeling like minorities. In reality, the concept of ‘Tatar Sunda’ should represent a more egalitarian region, especially given its proximity to Jakarta,” he stated at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/7).
“From a historical context, I personally believe it is not yet necessary,” added the Democratic Party politician.
However, Dede stated that he would respect the West Java Provincial Government or the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) if they wished to proceed with the proposal. He emphasised that such a change must be carried out through an amendment to the law, in accordance with existing regulations.
Dede, who currently serves as the Vice Chairman of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the Democratic Party faction, explained that a revision of the law is necessary because the existence of a region, including West Java, is regulated by legislation.
“It must become law because changes to the nomenclature of provinces, regencies, or cities are stipulated in the law and must be decided by the Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI),” he said.
Dede explained that the legislative revision would cover everything from nomenclature to regional boundaries, and the process must be conducted through the DPR.
“The Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) is free to make a proposal, but it must then be submitted to the Indonesian Parliament,” he added.
Meanwhile, all factions within the West Java DPRD have reportedly given the green light to advance this proposal to the legislative stage.
The Chairman of Commission I of the West Java DPRD, Rahmat Hidayat Djati, explained that the discussion regarding the name change proposal is not without reason.
According to him, one of the primary considerations for the DPRD to pursue this aspiration into the legislative stage is to preserve the Sundanese cultural identity, which is perceived to be eroding.
“The urgency lies in the fact that the identity of the Sundanese people is threatened with extinction,” claimed the PKB politician on Monday (6/7).
Citing concerns from various parties, some argue that the proposed name ‘Sundanese Province’ potentially fails to represent the diverse cultural identities present in West Java.
Responding to this, Rahmat asserted that there is no area within West Java that falls outside the scope of ‘Tatar Sunda’. He maintained that all regions within West Java are Sundanese territories.
“There are no non-Sundanese areas. Everything currently within the scope of West Java Province is Sundanese territory,” Rahmat emphasised.