PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi held a meeting with representatives of the British Embassy for Indonesia to discuss a number of strategic collaboration plans between the West Java Provincial Government and the United Kingdom.

Various issues ranging from education, environment, transportation to coastal area development were the main topics of discussion at the meeting.

One idea is a plan to build a West Java version of an English village.

The village will become a center for English learning, as well as an educational tourism destination.

"Later we will make just one village. In that village people speak English. So there is no need to go to East Java, just here. It can be for children to learn and develop tourism," he said after the meeting at Bale Pakuan Bandung, Bandung City, Friday (16/5/2025).

Present at the meeting were Deputy British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Matthew Downing, Deputy Head, Second Cities Juliana Richter, Regional Outreach Manager for West Java Zoe Rimba, Communications Manager Adela, and Head of Education, British Council Indonesia Muhaimin.

On that occasion, KDM, Dedi Mulyadi's nickname, also emphasized the importance of nature-based development.

He stressed the need to stop illegal mining, replant bare mountains, and protect water springs and clean rivers.

"We want to learn how England built healthy plantations. We also aspire to make rivers a means of transportation, as has been done in many developed countries," he said.

Rail-based transportation

With the geographical characteristics of Bandung which is hilly and has narrow roads, KDM also encourages the development of rail-based transportation modes such as monorails and integrated trains to connect Bandung Regency, Bandung City, Cimahi, and the Greater Bandung area.

"If the road is widened, trees must be cut down. We do not agree with that. The solution is, yes, rail-based transportation," he said.

KDM also highlighted the issue of residential density in West Java, especially migrants who live in one small room with more than 10 people.

He stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing the issue of adequate housing.

In addition to education and the environment, coastal area planning is also an important part of the discussion.

KDM revealed plans for coastal development in West Java and the construction of a port in Bekasi, which are expected to improve the welfare of local fishermen.

"We will follow up technically. I will visit the British Embassy with stakeholders so that the discussion is more concrete and results in real cooperation," he said.

KDM also expressed his hope that this collaboration would soon be formalized in the form of an official agreement.

"Yes, it will be made directly in the cooperation agreement. Nothing is not good, it must be good," KDM concluded.