West Java Provincial Government: Sundanese Tatar Day Celebration is Not an Attempt to Change the Name of West Java

Bandung (ANTARA) - The West Java Provincial Government has affirmed that the celebration of Sundanese Tatar Day, which features a series of cultural parades carrying the Binokasih crown to various regions, is not an attempt to change the name of West Java as circulating on social media.

The Head of the Communication and Information Agency (Diskominfo) of West Java, Mas Adi Komar, when met in Bandung on Sunday, stated that the celebration, named Milangkala (anniversary) of Tatar Sunda, is purely intended to promote the history, culture, and identity of the Sundanese people that has developed since the time of the Sunda kingdom.

“There is nothing leading to that. I think as long as the name of West Java Province remains in the law, then it’s fine. For now, we are focusing on the cultural and historical territorial aspects of Tatar Sunda, about the Sunda kingdom and so on. So, it has no relation to the administrative region,” said Adi.

According to Adi, Sundanese Tatar Day and Milangkala were created to revive awareness of the history and cultural heritage of the Sundanese people that has grown in the West Java region for hundreds of years.

Adi mentioned that the establishment of Sundanese Tatar Day and Milangkala had undergone academic historical studies before being finally established through a governor’s decree.

“Initially, there was an academic study by academics. The Milangkala Tatar Sunda aims to highlight the history of the Sundanese people, and it has been established through a Governor’s Decree as well, for its determination on May 18,” he said.

Meanwhile, Adi added that the celebration of the Anniversary of West Java Province will continue as usual every August 19th according to the applicable rules and laws.

“There are still provisions governing it. So, it can still be said that on August 19th, we may wait for further studies for next year,” Adi concluded.