Vice President Positive Response Proposal For Expansion Of Central Kalimantan

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin accompanied by Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Tuesday (24/10/2023). ANTARA/Muhammad Arif Hidayat

PALANGKA RAYA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin responded positively to a proposal from the regions regarding the expansion of Central Kalimantan, which is currently the largest province in Indonesia.

Ma'ruf Amin said that currently the moratorium for regional expansion policies, both provinces and others, is still valid and has not been opened, except for Papua.

"If I am still vice president, if the moratorium is opened, the first Central Kalimantan will be developed. If it is opened, so pray that the moratorium will be opened," explained the Vice President in Palangka Raya as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 24.

The Vice President conveyed this on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Central Kalimantan Regional Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KDEKS). This regional expansion discussion also responded to the proposal of the Governor of Central Kalimantan, Sugianto Sabran, who had previously been conveyed about this matter.

Ma'ruf Amin reiterated to the media crew after the inauguration activity, namely related to regional expansion, of course the central government will see various demands or proposals submitted by the regions.

According to him, the central government will certainly be selective because in the past there were regions that were actually not ready, but were still developed (extended) until in the end the conditions were not optimal and had to rely on central assistance.

"Therefore, a new arrangement is carried out, while stopping first, but later we will see," he explained.

Ma'ruf Amin admits that many regions ask for a division of the region, not only at level one, but also at level two. However, all of this will be seen first in terms of rationality, allowing or not to be contested.

"If it's opened, it's a priority, it's just a matter of opening it (the moratorium) yet," he said when asked by the media crew whether Central Kalimantan was a priority to be marketed.

Previously, on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Central Kalimantan HKS, Governor Sugianto Sabran submitted a proposal regarding the expansion of the region to Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and hoped for his support.

"We want Papua to be given flexibility, Central Kalimantan also wants it, at least divided into two. We want to accelerate development," he said.