TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) faction at Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD), Anggara Wicitra Sastroamidjojo, welcomed the suggestion of merging autonomous regions of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi or Jabodetabek into Greater Jakarta Province.

He argued that the merger could serve as a solution to the current systemic problems. “Such as traffic congestion, flood, and waste management,” said Anggara in a written statement, Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

According to him, it was an interesting proposal to be discussed further considering that policy integration has been a problem thus far albeit Jabodetabek is a unitary megapolitan area with interrelated issues.

However, he asked the proposal to be carried out comprehensively as it needs a long and thorough discussion and considerations on the aspect of the legislation. “We encourage the Jakarta Provincial Government to initiate many discussions about this because we (Jakarta) are the center of the economy,” said Anggara.

The DPRD Commission E Deputy Chairman also assessed that the formulation related to the idea must start from now on regardless of who holds the authority. “Because local governments understand the problem the most, even though the authority to change [the regions’ status is] at the central government,” Anggara added.

On July 10, 2022, Depok Mayor Mohammad Idris proposed that the neighboring regions of Jakarta be merged into Greater Jakarta Province. In response, Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said it is the central government's authority.

“We, the provincial government, completely let the policy to the central government,” he said at the Jakarta DPRD Building, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

MOH. KHORY ALFARIZI

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