West Java officials advocate for cultural regulation and modern pesantren education

Members of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) are advocating for enhanced regional development through cultural and educational initiatives.

Iwan Koswara, a member of Commission V, is pushing for a Regional Regulation (Perda) on Cultural Advancement. He argues that West Java's diverse cultural heritage, including traditional arts and customs, should be integrated into formal development planning rather than being treated as mere ceremonial elements. The proposed regulation aims to provide legal certainty for the protection, utilization, and empowerment of culture, while creating more space for artists and the younger generation to engage with their roots.

Separately, Sidkon Djampi of the PKB faction highlighted the modernization of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). Following a visit by Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar to the Pesan Trend school in Bandung Regency, Djampi noted that these institutions are increasingly combining religious studies with practical skills such as agriculture, livestock, and environmental management. He emphasized that such innovative models empower students with life skills and economic independence, and called for stronger government collaboration to support these educational ecosystems.