S. Tangerang to exist in March

Multa Fidrus ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Tangerang   |  Wed, 02/27/2008 12:08 PM  |  City

The House of Representatives confirmed the bill on the formation of South Tangerang city will be endorsed along with 14 other proposed new regencies and municipalities by March.

"The Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the House will hold a plenary session on regional divisions and the results will be submitted to the House to be approved by the end of March," Arief Natadiningrat, the chairman of an ad hoc committee for regional division at the House, said in Tangerang on Tuesday.

In a visit to the Ciputat district administration office -- soon to house the new municipal administration -- Arief was accompanied by several other legislators, including Biem Benyamin, M. Said, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas and Ratu Cicih.

The legislators met Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar, regency secretary Nanang Komara, administration assistant Mas Iman Kusnandar, council deputy speaker Bayu Moerdani and all heads of the districts to be merged into the new city.

Biem Benyamin said the establishment of South Tangerang city was an urgent need because the southern part of Tangerang was growing fast.

"I don't agree with those who say regional division will burden the state budget. Regions are the source of state revenue, and the formation of new regions will bring improved welfare to the people," he said.

Regent Ismet said the Tangerang regency administration was preparing people to staff the new administration.

"It will also hand over (all) assets ... to the new administration," he said, adding that he expected the new municipality to be declared about April 16.

The formation of an independent municipality in the southern part of Tangerang regency was first proposed in 1992 by residents of Ciputat, Pamulang, Serpong and Pondok Aren.

The southern part of Tangerang -- comprising Ciputat, East Ciputat, Pamulang, Pondok Aren, Serpong, North Serpong and Setu districts -- has developed residential and commercial areas, and industrial zones.

Ismet Iskandar had pushed for the three newly formed districts of East Ciputat, North Serpong and Setu to be included in the proposed South Tangerang municipality.

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