Mahfud: Madura Can Be A Province, But There Are Conditions

Vice Presidential Candidate Mahfud MD before attending the event at the Nahdlatut Thullab Islamic Boarding School, Sampang Regency, East Java, Thursday (11/1/2024). ANTARA/Rio Feisal

SAMPANG - Vice Presidential Candidate Mahfud MD said Madura could become a province, but there are conditions that must be met.

"Can Madura be a province? According to the law, there must be five regencies/cities. Now there are only four regencies/cities. That is a legal requirement," Mahfud said at the Nahdlatut Thullab Islamic Boarding School, Sampang Regency, East Java, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, January 11.

Mahfud's statement refers to Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government.

Mahfud then suggested that a district/city be formed from the existing one so that Madura Province could be realized.

"Therefore, it was made first in one more district or one city. Sampang City and Sampang Regency, Pamekasan City and Pamekasan Regency. Just one can," he said.

After having five regencies/cities, said Mahfud, it will take 7 years to prove that an area deserves to be a new province.

"After that, it was formed to wait 7 years first. Can this be able to become a province? Well, if it's been 7 years, okay meet the requirements, just register. The process is 3 years," he said.

However, said Mahfud, currently the central government is still conducting a moratorium on the formation of a new autonomous region (DOB).

"Can you register now? Not necessarily. Now because there is a moratorium on regional expansion, while all of this has been stopped," said Mahfud.

He advised the Madurese to work as usual without waiting for the formation of the province.

"Therefore, you don't have to wait for the province. Now just work using the existing resources, yes. The matter of the province will be processed slowly," said Mahfud.