Leaders urge Dairi regency split

JAKARTA: Community leaders from the Dairi regency in North Sumatra visited the Ministry of Home Affairs in Jakarta on Friday, demanding that the government fulfill their request to divide the regency into two new regencies.

Delegation leader J. Padang Bth said the request for the split represented the aspirations of the local people as it had been approved by the local legislative council (DPRD).

"We have met members of the House (of Representatives) factions and House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo. All of them expressed their support," Padang said after meeting with Wahyu Moch. Nadjib, the ministry's director for regional autonomy.

Asked if the new regency could govern itself, Padang said that the financial aspect would not be a problem for the regency as it possessed natural resources.

Dairi, located about 100 kilometers to the south of Medan, is a major producer of coffee, tobacco, zinc, tin, and copper.

The House recently enacted 10 laws on the establishment of 22 cities and regencies throughout the country. -- JP