PAN Supports Discourse on Renaming West Java Province to Sunda
The discourse on changing the name of West Java Province to Sunda has received a positive response from political circles. The Chairman of PAN’s West Java Regional Board, Ahmad Najib Qodratuloh, asserted that the proposal is a legitimate constitutional step reflecting the aspirations of the community.
According to Najib, the pros and cons surrounding the proposal, which has been approved by all factions in the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), are normal in a democracy. However, he stressed that the people of West Java, as the owners of the region, have the full right to determine their own identity.
“This is an aspiration from a community group, so of course we must listen, especially since it comes from the homeowners (the residents of West Java). The homeowners are free to change the name to whatever they want,” Najib said in a statement received on Wednesday (8/7).
Regarding the renaming plan, he reminded all DPRD members of their moral obligation as representatives of the people to listen to and absorb the dynamics of aspirations within the community. He also explained that the discussion process for this discourse is still very long, so PAN will follow all existing stages, including awaiting the Governor of West Java’s response to the proposal.
“PAN always listens to the aspirations of the community regarding the name change of West Java to Tatar Pasundan or Sunda. Whether it will be realised or not, we will follow the process. It is still a long way off. We also do not yet know the Governor’s response,” said Najib.
From a historical perspective, he considered the opinions of those who reject the name change on the grounds that not all residents of West Java speak Sundanese to be inaccurate. He explained that the Tarumanagara Kingdom in the Bekasi area is the historical root of Sunda. This lineage was continued by Sri Maharaja Tarusbawa Darmawaskita, who founded the Kingdom of Sunda, which became the foundation for the establishment of the Pakuan Pajajaran Kingdom.
“It was Prabu Tarusbawa who founded the Kingdom of Sunda, which later became Pakuan Pajajaran. This is in the history books. So, Sunda is no longer just about ethnicity, but about a region,” he explained. On this basis, he asked the public to view the provincial name change plan through a historical and cultural lens, rather than solely linking it to ethnic identity issues.
“If there are parties who object to the name, well, as I said earlier, even if it sounds like I’m joking, it’s something we all need to reflect on. The homeowner wants to change the name, how can you forbid it?” added the member of House Commission XI.