TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The acting director-general of regional autonomy of Home Affairs Ministry, Akmal Malik, opined the joining of Bekasi as part of Jakarta administration would be hard to realize, considering the two regions have a different identity.

“[The two regions] have a different identity. Jakarta is a region that runs asymmetric and special administration, while other regions are the autonomy ones. Does Bekasi willing to be administrative region?” said Akmal to Tempo, Wednesday, August 21.

Akmal reiterated if Bekasi becomes a part of the country's special region, many regulations such as Law on regional administration, Jakarta Province, and Bekasi must be amended. “What’s impossible is actually possible, but it may not be easy because of multiple issues,” he said.

According to Akmal, instead of wondering about the merger, Bekasi administration should focus on improving its people’s welfare and quality of public service, as well as strengthening regional competition.

“Rather than imagining it, the autonomous region should focus on its goals,” he underlined.

The notion of Bekasi city merging with the capital city initially emerged from the idea of creating Greater Bogor echoed by Bogor Mayor Bima Arya. He said the new province would comprise of Bogor Regency, Sukabumi City, Sukabumi Regency, Bekasi Regency, Bekasi City, Cianjur, Depok, Bogor City, Karawang, and Subang.

However, Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi rejected the notion and preferred to merge with Jakarta.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI