Civil corps, ABRI to hold low cost Xmas celebration<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie and other cabinet
\nministers will attend a Christmas celebration organized by civil
\nservants and Armed Forces (ABRI) members on Sunday, an official
\nsaid on Monday.<\/p>\n
Ignatius Setyoko, the chairman of the celebration committee
\nsaid, unlike previous years, this year's celebration will be held
\nat the Senayan Indoor Tennis Court in South Jakarta as a way of
\nsaving costs.<\/p>\n
About 4,000 guests are expected to attend the ritual, he said.<\/p>\n
"We will have a simple ceremony as a reflection of our concern
\nat the current situation," Ignatius said after meeting the
\nPresident at Merdeka Palace along with other nine committee
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
In the previous years such celebrations were held at the more
\nexpensive Jakarta Convention Center which can accommodate more
\npeople.<\/p>\n
The President reiterated his previous statements that the
\nstate is required by the Constitution to protect and give equal
\ntreatment to all religions.<\/p>\n
Following riots with religious overtones in a number of areas
\nlast month, Habibie said he hoped that religious leaders would
\nhelp the government in its efforts to keep harmony among
\ndifferent faiths.<\/p>\n
"The President appeals to all parties to adhere to the
\nPancasila state ideology and refrain from being easily agitated,"
\nIgnatius quoted Habibie as saying.<\/p>\n
The President and cabinet members traditionally attend the
\nmajor ceremonies of the five official religions -- Islam,
\nProtestant, Catholic, Hindu, and Buddhist. Some of the ceremonies
\nare usually held at the State Palace. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/civil-corps-abri-to-hold-low-cost-xmas-celebration-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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