Bekasi Regency is a regency in West Java Province, Indonesia. Its capital is Cikarang. Located directly east of Jakarta, it borders Bekasi City and Jakarta Province to the west, the Java Sea to the west and north, Karawang Regency to the east, and Bogor Regency to the south. Bekasi Regency comprises 23 sub-districts, which are further subdivided into several villages and urban villages.
Research by Poerbatjaraka (a Sanskrit and Old Javanese expert) reveals that the word "Bekasi" is philologically derived from the word Candrabhaga; Candra means moon ("sasi" in Old Javanese) and Bhaga means part. So, Candrabhaga means part of the moon. The pronunciation of Candrabhaga sometimes changes to Sasibhaga or Bhagasasi. It is often shortened to Bhagasi, and due to Dutch influence, it is often written as Bacassie (a Bacassie nameplate was found at Lemahabang Train Station). The word Bacassie then changed to Bekasi, which remains the name of the city to this day.
Candrabhaga was part of the Tarumanagara Kingdom, which existed since the 5th century AD. There are 7 (seven) inscriptions that mention the existence of the Tarumanagara Kingdom led by Maharaja Purnawarman, namely the Tugu Inscription (Cilincing, Jakarta), the Ciaruteun Inscription, the Muara Cianten Inscription, the Kebon Kopi Inscription, the Jambu Inscription, the Pasir Awi Inscription (all six of these inscriptions are in the Bogor area), and one inscription in the South Bandung area (the Cidangiang Inscription).
It is suspected that Bekasi was one of the centers of the Tarumanagara Kingdom (Tugu Inscription, reads: ..formerly a river called Kali Candrabhaga was dug by His Majesty Purnawarman, which flowed to the sea, even this river flows around the royal palace. Then, during the 22 years of the throne of the noble and wise king along with all his banners dug a beautiful river with clear water, "Gomati" its name. After the river flowed around the residence of His Majesty Purnawarman. This work began on a good day, namely on the 8th half of the evening of the month of Phalguna and ended on the 13th half of the bright month of Caitra. So, it was completed in only 21 days. The length of the river excavation reached 6,122 spears. For this, a celebration was held led by the Brahmins and the King offered 1000 cows...). The writing in this inscription describes King Purnawarman's order to dig the Candrabhaga River, which was aimed at irrigating rice fields and avoiding the flood disasters that often hit the Tarumanagara Kingdom.
After the Tarumanagara kingdom collapsed (7th century), the kingdom that had a significant influence on Bekasi was the Padjadjaran Kingdom, as seen from the historical site of Batu Tulis (in the Bogor area), Sutarga further explained that Bekasi was part of the Padjadjaran Kingdom and was one of the river ports that was busy with traders. Bekasi became a very important city for Padjadjaran, further explaining that: “..Pakuan was the new capital of the Padjadjaran Kingdom. This relocation process was based on geopolitical considerations and military strategy. Because, the route along Pakuan was crossed by many large rivers, namely the Ciliwung and Cisadane rivers. Therefore, busy port cities at that time would be easy to control well such as Bekasi, Karawang, Kelapa, Tanggerang and Mahaten or Banten Sorasoan…”
Thus, time passed, kingdom after kingdom grew, developed, experienced glory, collapsed, and new kingdoms emerged. Bekasi's position remained strategic and was recorded in the history of each kingdom (the last recorded kingdom in history, the kingdom that controlled Bekasi was the Sumedanglarang Kingdom, which was part of the Mataram Kingdom). Even evidence of the existence of this kingdom still exists today, for example: the discovery of the tombs of Wangsawidjaja and Queen Mayangsari (tombstones), the tomb of Wijayakusumah and the bathing well located in Ciketing Village, Mustika Jaya Village, Bantargebang. Where both the tombstone and the condition of the well and the surrounding rocks, indicate that its age is parallel to the era of the Sumedanglarang Kingdom. Likewise, the discovery of chains in Kobak Rante, Sukamakmur Village, Sukakarya District (it is said that the Kobak Rante area was a riverbank area large enough to be navigable by ships. This route was often used by patrol ships from Sumedanglarang.
Dutch East Indies period
During this period, it was part of the Regentschap Meester Cornelis, which was divided into four districts: Meester Cornelis, Kebayoran, Bekasi, and Cikarang. During the Dutch colonial period, Bekasi District was known as a fertile agricultural region, consisting of private lands. The land ownership system was controlled by landlords (private groups), consisting of European businessmen and Chinese merchants. On this private land, a Village Head or Demang was placed, who was appointed by the Resident and paid by the landlord. This Demang was assisted by a scribe, village heads, an amil, a pencalang (village political official), a kebayan (village messenger), and an ulu-ulu (irrigation manager).
To oversee the land, landlords appointed employees or close aides, called potia or lands opziener. Potia were usually of Chinese descent and appointed by the landlord. Their duties included supervising the workers and representing the landlord when he was absent. Additionally, there were foremen who controlled a specific area, called a mandoran (regional area). In daily practice, foremen were extremely powerful, often exceeding the limits of humanity. The tenants were the former landowners whose land was sold to the landlord. The men appointed by foremen were usually heroes or champions feared by the villagers.
Bekasi District is known for its fertile and productive land, yielding better results compared to other districts in Batavia. Bekasi District averages 30-40 pikuls of rice per bau, while other districts are only able to produce 15-30 pikuls of rice per bau. However, the landowners, not the people of Bekasi, enjoy the benefits of Bekasi's fertile land. The people of Bekasi remain deprived. In difficult conditions, figures often emerge to defend the common people, such as Entong Tolo, a robber chief who always steals the wealth of the rich, then distributes the proceeds to the common people. Therefore, the people greatly respect and protect the Entong Tolo family, the Wise Thief, the Robin Hood of the Bekasi people. In almost all areas of Bekasi, there are similar stories, with different versions and names of characters. This also influences the attitudes and perspectives of the Bekasi people towards anything related to 'championship'.
After Entong Tolo was arrested and exiled to Manado, in 1913 the Sarekat Islam (SI) organization emerged in Bekasi, attracting a large following from the predominantly peasant population. Unlike in other regions, SI Bekasi's leadership was dominated by traders, farmers, Koran teachers, former landowners and officials dismissed by the Dutch East Indies government, and vigilantes known as "ropok budiman" (good robbers). Due to its large size, SI Bekasi became a dominant force in its confrontations with the landlords. Between 1913 and 1922, SI Bekasi became the driving force behind various protests against the oppression of peasants, such as the forced labor strike (rodi), the peasant protest in Setu (1913), and the "vinegar" payment strike (1918).
Japanese occupation period
For the majority of the people, the arrival of Japan in Indonesia strengthened the exatological perception of Jayabaya's prophecy (the book "Jangka Jayabaya" reveals: "...one day a yellow-skinned nation will come from the north who will expel the white-skinned nation. However, he will only rule for a short time, namely for a 'corn age', as the Just King who will later free Indonesia from the shackles of colonialism..."
Initially, the Japanese conquest of the Netherlands was greeted with joy, seen as a liberation from suffering. The people of Bekasi welcomed the event with joy, which was further fueled by the Japanese permission to raise the Red and White flag and sing the national anthem Indonesia Raya. However, the joy of the Bekasi people was short-lived. Within a week, the Japanese government issued a ban on raising the Red and White flag and singing the national anthem Indonesia Raya. Instead, the Japanese ordered all Bekasi residents to raise the "Matahari Terbit" flag and sing "Kimigayo." Through this coercion, Japan began a new chapter of oppression, which had previously been proud of as the "older brother."
The cruelty of the Japanese army became increasingly apparent when they instructed all Bekasi residents to gather in front of the police barracks to witness the beheading of a Telukbuyung resident named Mahbub, who was arrested on suspicion of being a Dutch spy and selling a maintenance order for Japanese military horses. This beheading was intended as shock therapy to create a deterrent effect and instill fear in the Bekasi people. The Japanese army also implemented a war economy, with rice and livestock in Bekasi Gun recorded, collected, and required to be handed over to the Japanese military authorities. This was not only for daily needs but also for long-term needs, in order to support the Greater East Asia War.
As a result, the people of Bekasi experienced food shortages, a situation exacerbated by the "Romusha" (forced labor). The Japanese military government also penetrated the culture by forcing Bekasi's youth to learn the spirit of bushido (the spirit of the samurai), the deification of the Tenno Haika (the Japanese emperor). The youth were educated through courses or through the formation of the Seinendan, Keibodan, Heiho, and the Homeland Defenders Army (PETA), who were then directly placed into Japanese military organizations.
In addition to the Japanese-formed organizations, Bekasi youth organized themselves in a non-formal organization, namely the Bekasi Islamic Youth Movement (GPIB), which was founded in 1943 on the initiative of Bekasi Islamic youth who every Friday night held religious studies at the Al-Muwahiddin Mosque, Bekasi, its members consisted of young santri, general education youth and illiterate "market" youth. Initially, GPIB was led by Nurdin, after his death in 1944, replaced by Marzuki Urmaini. Until the beginning of independence, BPIB had a large membership, its headquarters were at Hasan Sjahroni's house, in the Bekasi market area, many of its members later joined the BKR and the struggle body led by KH Noer Alie. GPIB has many branches, including the Bekasi Regional Central GPIB (Marzuki Urmaini and Muhayar), Ujung Malang Regional GPIB (KH Noer Alie), Tambun Regional GPIB (Angkut Abu Gozali, Kranji GPIB (M. Husein Kamaly) and Cakung GPIB (Gusir) the establishment of Bekasi Regency. Based on the legal regulations at that time and seeing the persistence of the people fighting for their aspirations to form a separate government, at the Regency level, Bekasi figures and people began to fight so that the formation could be realized. In early 1950, people's leaders including R. Soepardi, KH Noer Alie, Namin, Aminudin and Marzuki Urmaini formed the "Bekasi People's Mandate Committee", and held a large meeting in Bekasi Square (January 17, 1950), which was attended by thousands of people who came from various corners of Bekasi, resulting in several demands collected in the "January 17 Resolution", which among other things demanded that the name of Jatinegara Regency be changed to Bekasi Regency, the demand was signed by the Bekasi District Head (A. Sirad) and the Bekasi District Head Assistant (R. Harun).
The proposal finally received a response from Mohammad Hatta, and agreed to change the name of "Jatinegara Regency" to "Bekasi Regency", this agreement was strengthened by the issuance of Law No. 14 of 1950 which was stipulated on August 8, 1950 concerning the Establishment of Regencies within the Province of West Java, and taking into account Government Regulation No. 32 of 1950 concerning the enactment of the law, then Bekasi Regency was officially formed on August 15, 1950, and had the right to regulate its own household, as regulated by the Regional Government Law at that time, namely Law No. 22 of 1948. Furthermore, it was stipulated by the Level II Regional Government of Bekasi Regency, that August 15, 1950 was the anniversary of the regency.
This status was confirmed by Law Number 14 of 1950 concerning the formation of Bekasi Regency, with an area consisting of four sub-districts, 13 districts and 95 villages. In 1960 the Bekasi Regency office moved from Jatinegara to Bekasi city (Jl. Ir. H Juanda), which then in 1982 the Bekasi Regency Government office building was moved again to Jl. Ahmad Yani, Bekasi. Starting in 2004, the Bekasi Regency Government was moved to Cikarang Pusat, Kota Deltamas with the aim of equalizing development in the eastern area of Bekasi.
The population of Bekasi Regency in 2004 reached 1,950,209 people. When viewed from the population ratio by sex is 1.04 to 1.00, where the number of male population is 996,150 people and female population is 954,054 people. The population growth rate of the 2000 census calculation is 4.23% consisting of migration 2.33% and natural 1.90%. In 2005 the population of Bekasi Regency increased to 2,027,902 people or experienced a growth of 3.98% from the previous year. The majority of Bekasi residents are immigrants so it is not surprising that many of its cultures have been acculturated.
In 2013, the population of Bekasi Regency reached 3,002,112 people. In 2014, the population of Bekasi Regency became 3,112,698 people or an increase of 120,586 people from 2013. The male population was 1,592,588 people and the female population was 1,530,110 people in 2014. With an area of 127,388 hectares, the population density of Bekasi Regency reached 2,451 people per km2.
The sub-district with the highest population is Tambun Selatan with a population of 486,041 people or 16 percent of the total population of Bekasi Regency in 2014. The sub-district with the lowest population is Bojongmangu with a population of 25,587 people in 2014.[1]
Most of Bekasi is lowland, with a hilly southern part. The elevation ranges from 0 to 115 meters, with a slope of 0 to 250 meters. Bekasi Regency, located in the north of West Java Province, is predominantly lowland, with 72% of the area situated between 0 and 25 meters above sea level. Based on its topography, most of Bekasi Regency is suitable for aquaculture development, particularly for fish farming in ponds and for raising domestic animals such as chickens and goats.
The soil types in Bekasi Regency are classified into seven groups. The most suitable group for development covers an area of approximately 16,682.25 Ha (81.25%), consisting of yellow podzolic and gray hydromorphic associations; a complex of yellowish-red latosol, brown latosol, and red podzolic; dark gray alluvial; a glei humus and gray alluvial association; and an association of red latosol, reddish-brown latosol, and laterite. The moderately suitable classification covers an area of 3,745.04 Ha (18.24%), consisting of gray alluvial and grayish-brown alluvial associations. The remaining 104.71 Ha (0.51%) of the yellow podzolic type is an area that is less suitable for development.
In terms of soil texture, most of this area has a fine soil texture of around 15,555.04 Ha (75.76%) and medium textured around 4,755.21 Ha (23.16%) in the north and south, while the remaining approximately 221.75 Ha or 1.08% coarse textured is in the west. The level of soil sensitivity to erosion is quite good/stable. This level of sensitivity is classified into three parts, namely stable (not sensitive), sensitive, and very sensitive. Approximately 17,220.19 Ha (83.87%) of the land area is stable land suitable for development for various urban activities. An area of 3,127.02 Ha (15.23%) of the land is in sensitive conditions and is still quite suitable for development. Meanwhile, in the south, the land is very sensitive to erosion, namely around 184.79 Ha (0.9%), less suitable for development. The existence of several rivers that pass through the Bekasi Regency area has the potential as a water source to meet the needs of the community. In Bekasi Regency there are sixteen large rivers with widths ranging from 3 to 80 meters, namely the Citarum River, Bekasi River, Cikarang River, Ciherang River, Belencong River, Jambe River, Sadang River, Cikedokan River, Ulu River, Cilemahabang River, Cibeet River, Cipamingkis River, Siluman River, Serengseng River, Sepak River and Jaeran River.
In addition, there are 13 lakes spread across several sub-districts with a total area of 3 to 40 hectares, namely Situ Tegal Abidin, Bojongmangu, Bungur, Ceper, Cipagadungan, Cipalahar, Ciantra, Taman, Burangkeng, Liang Maung, Cibeureum, Cilengsir, and Binong. Currently, water needs in Bekasi Regency are met from 2 (two) sources, namely groundwater and surface water. Groundwater is used for residential and some industries. The condition of groundwater in the Bekasi Regency area is mostly shallow groundwater at a depth of 5-25 meters from the ground surface, while deep groundwater is generally found at a depth of between 90-200 meters. Surface water, such as rivers, is used by PDAM to be distributed to its consumers, both residential and industrial.
Bekasi Regency is led by regent Hj. Neneng Hasanah Yasin and deputy regent H. Rohim Mintareja who were nominated by the Golkar faction, which has governed since 2012. Neneng Hasanah Yasin is a candidate from the Golkar Party and H. Rohim Mintareja from the Democratic Party. Neneng Hasanah Yasin is a member of the West Java Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD). Rohim Mintareja is a member of the Bekasi Regency DPRD from the Bekasi Regency DPRD Electoral District 1 who serves on Commission C. This pair is quite strong in the areas of Pebayuran, Tambun, Cibitung, West Cikarang, Cibarusah, except in South Cikarang where the majority chose the pair Darip Maulana and Jejen Sayuti.
Educational facilities available in Bekasi Regency:
Bekasi is a growth area in Jakarta and is part of the Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) area. Bekasi is crossed by the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road and the Jakarta-Surabaya railway line. The Jakarta-Bekasi commuter line (KRL) only runs as far as West Bekasi. The electrification project for the West Bekasi-Cikarang railway line is currently underway, along with the construction of four railway lines (DDT – double-duble track) in that segment. The Bekasi-Cikarang KRL line is expected to be operational in 2018.
Based on Bekasi Regency Regional Regulation Number 12 of 2011 concerning the Bekasi Regency Spatial Planning Plan 2011-2031, Bekasi Regency plans to build a cross-branch railway network connecting East Cikarang–Central Cikarang–Serang Baru–Cibarusah–Bogor Regency.
Bekasi Regency's economy is supported by the agricultural, trade, and industrial sectors. Bekasi boasts numerous manufacturing industries, including the Jababeka industrial area, Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC), Kota Deltamas, EJIP, Delta Silicon, MM2100, BIIE, and others. These industrial areas are now combined into an International Economic Zone (ZONI), which offers specialized facilities in taxation, infrastructure, security, and fiscal matters.
Petroleum. Several explored oil wells are located in northern Bekasi. These include Babelan, Gabus, Muaragembong, Cabangbungin, and Tambun. Crude oil production from the Tambun well reaches 6,126 barrels per day.
Natural gas. Natural gas is found in southern Bekasi. Six gas wells have been producing since 2004. These wells are located in the Jatirarangon Block, which covers the South Cikarang and Central Cikarang areas. Natural gas reserves in the Jatirarangon Block are estimated at 56.7 billion cubic feet. Furthermore, gas well number 3 also produces oil at a rate of 90 barrels per day.
Bekasi Regency has several tourist attractions, including:
Cikarang City is the capital of Bekasi Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Cikarang City encompasses the districts of Central Cikarang, West Cikarang, East Cikarang, North Cikarang, and South Cikarang within Bekasi Regency. The administrative center of Bekasi Regency is located in Central Cikarang District.
Source: Bekasi Regency Website, Wikipedia
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