Home Affairs Ministry Monitors Push to Rename West Java to Tatar Sunda
The discourse regarding the proposed name change of West Java Province to Sunda Province or Tatar Sunda is currently attracting public attention. Responding to this, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) stated that it has not yet received an official proposal regarding the change of the province’s name.
The Head of the Information Centre at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Benni Irwan, stated that the Ministry has so far been following the development of this discourse through media reports. “So far, no. But we are following it in the media,” he said when contacted by the press on Monday (6/7/2026).
When asked about the process or mechanism required for such a name change, Benni did not provide specific details. He emphasised that the Ministry of Home Affairs is waiting for an official submission before proceeding in accordance with existing regulations.
“And certainly, we at the Ministry of Home Affairs are waiting and looking into the possibilities later, in accordance with the regulations, of course. So, that is the situation for now,” said Benni.
When asked whether the Ministry of Home Affairs is still awaiting an official proposal from the West Java Provincial Government, Benni confirmed this. “Yes… yes, that is correct,” he said.
Previously, all factions in the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) officially gave the green light, agreeing to proceed with the proposal to change the name of West Java Province to Tatar Sunda. This approval will move into the next legislative stage.
This crucial decision to preserve identity received the most concrete response from the regional parliament following an agreement reached during an audience between Commission I of the West Java DPRD and several Sundanese academics, cultural figures, and historians in Bandung on Thursday. The movement had previously seen periods of inactivity in 2013, 2015, and 2020.
“The factions—Demokrat, PKB, PKS, PAN, PDIP, Golkar, and PPP—have stated their agreement to proceed to the next legislative stage for the renaming of West Java Province. Meanwhile, Gerindra and Nasdem have indicated they will follow suit,” said the Chairman of Commission I of the West Java DPRD, Rahmat Hidayat Djati, after presiding over the meeting.
Rahmat explained that the proposal for the provincial name change has actually been discussed in several meetings. However, it was only during this session that all faction representatives were present in full to officially declare their political stance.
“The proposing team presented this; this is the third time. But it was only today that the representatives of the factions attended in full,” he added.
The strategic next steps following this approval will depend on the refinement of the academic paper and the decision of the council leadership, specifically whether it will be processed through a Special Committee (Pansus) or reviewed by commissioners within Commission I. Rahmat also reminded that the regulations for this name adjustment must ultimately obtain final approval from the central government.
“Comments were also provided by the Bureau of Regional Government (West Java Provincial Government) regarding the stages involved, as well as from the Legal Bureau, because ultimately this must receive approval from the central government,” said Rahmat.
Interestingly, the DPRD’s focus is not limited solely to the province’s name. The legislature is also encouraging the strengthening of local identity in the naming of residential areas, tourist attractions, buildings, and even the numbering of New Autonomous Region (CDOB) candidates, so they do not merely use cardinal directions but instead incorporate unique local names.
“This includes candidates for New Autonomous Regions; they should not just be West, East, North, or South. They should reflect Sundanese names—not just West Cirebon, West Indramayu, East Cirebon, or North Sukabumi, but include distinctive local names,” Rahmat said, adding that the legal framework could take the form of a Regional Regulation (Perda) or a Governor’s Regulation (Pergub).