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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

West Java's 'Tatar Sunda' Name Change Proposal Sparks Controversy

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A proposal to rename West Java Province to Tatar Sunda Province has sparked controversy, particularly in the Indramayu-Cirebon region.
  • Critics argue the name change ignores the historical reality and diverse ethnic makeup of West Java, which is home to various ethnic groups.
  • The proposal is seen by some as a unilateral claim by a small, primordial group, disregarding the province's heterogeneous population.

A proposal to rename West Java Province to Tatar Sunda Province has ignited a debate, with significant opposition emerging from the Indramayu-Cirebon region. Founder of the Indramayu Historia Foundation, Nang Sadewo, voiced strong disapproval, stating the proposed name does not reflect the historical reality or the modern, diverse population of West Java.

Sadewo criticized the claim that West Java is dominated by 75 percent Sundanese people, arguing it overlooks the dynamic population across its 27 regencies and cities. "I firmly reject it, especially since it's just a proposal from a primordial group," he stated.

I firmly reject it, especially since it's just a proposal from a primordial group.

— Nang SadewoFounder of Indramayu Historia Foundation, expressing his opposition to the proposed name change.

He emphasized that historical values should not be confined by group ego but should evolve with the times. Sadewo pointed out that West Java has transformed into a diverse home for many ethnic groups due to development statistics. "West Java, with its long history and developing development statistics today, is inhabited by various ethnic groups who have come," he said.

West Java, with its long history and developing development statistics today, is inhabited by various ethnic groups who have come.

— Nang SadewoHighlighting the heterogeneous population of West Java.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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