New Tangerang region closer to reality

Multa Fidrus , The Jakarta Post , Tangerang | Tue, 06/17/2008 10:05 AM | City

Home Minister Mardiyanto has ordered Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiah and Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar to prepare a meeting to discuss setting up the new South Tangerang municipality.

"We highly appreciate the minister's step. This is new step forward that will accelerate the establishment of South Tangerang municipality," Ismet said here over the weekend.

Komarudin, an official with the administration, said the government would seek input from the provincial and regency administrations on the establishment of the new region. The information must first be verified at the ministry's regional autonomy council.

"The discussion at the ministry will deal with the preparations and verifications for the new city," he said.

Councilor Basuki Rahardjo, one of the initiators of the new municipality, welcomed the minister's response, saying South Tangerang would soon be verified along with other new regions.

"We hope South Tangerang city can be established in two months with the approval from the House of Representatives' plenary session," he said.

The establishment of South Tangerang, along with 26 other new cities and regencies, has been postponed until after the 2009 general election.

The idea of establishing South Tangerang was started in 1992 by residents of Ciputat, Pamulang, Serpong and Pondok Area, all bordering Jakarta. About 1.2 million people live in this area that has become an industrial, commercial and residential zone.

Following the proposal, Regent Ismet then pushed for the establishment of East Ciputat, North Serpong and Setu districts. The three new districts are expected to be part of the proposed South Tangerang municipality.--JP

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