Jakarta \u2014 Vice President Gibran Rakabuming has stated that the joyful\ncelebration of Lunar New Year now openly visible across Indonesia\u2019s\npublic spaces represents the fruit of courage demonstrated by the\nnation\u2019s leaders in nurturing Indonesian diversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should be grateful and appreciate that the beauty of lanterns\nadorning streets, the vibrancy of dragon dances in public spaces, and\nthe warm and joyous atmosphere filled with togetherness in Lunar New\nYear celebrations today are the fruit of the courage and steadfastness\nof the nation\u2019s leaders in protecting our diversity,\u201d Gibran said\nthrough the Office of the Vice President in Jakarta on Saturday.<\/p>\n
According to the Vice President, the warm and inclusive atmosphere of\nLunar New Year celebrations symbolises the state\u2019s presence in\nguaranteeing every citizen\u2019s right to express their cultural\nidentity.<\/p>\n
The Vice President stated that this major change originated from a\ndecision by Indonesia\u2019s fourth president, Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur),\nwho through Presidential Decree Number 6 of 2000 revoked various\nrestrictions on Chinese cultural expressions.<\/p>\n
The Vice President cited Gus Dur\u2019s message that all citizens,\nregardless of their religion, possess equal recognition and standing\nbefore the law.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough Presidential Decree Number 6 of 2000, Gus Dur created a\npolicy that was not merely administrative, but rather a historical\nmilestone teaching us the true meaning of tolerance and brotherhood,\u201d\nGibran said.<\/p>\n
This policy was subsequently reinforced by Indonesia\u2019s fifth\npresident, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who in 2002 designated Lunar New Year\nas a national public holiday.<\/p>\n
This designation is regarded as concrete recognition that every\ncitizen has the right to celebrate their traditions and beliefs without\nfear or marginalisation.<\/p>\n
According to the Vice President, Indonesia is a large home built from\ndiversity, not uniformity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is concrete recognition that every citizen possesses equal\nrights to express their cultural identity because Indonesia is a large\nhome built not from uniformity, but from diversity,\u201d the Vice President\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Culture, he stated, should not be imprisoned by prejudice, and the\nright to celebrate traditions is part of human dignity guaranteed by the\nconstitution.<\/p>\n
The Vice President emphasised that democracy is not merely a matter\nof majority rule, but also a commitment to justice, where the state must\nbe present for all people without exception.<\/p>\n
The Vice President called on young people to maintain the spirit and\nintellectual legacy of the nation\u2019s leaders in protecting an inclusive\npublic space.<\/p>\n
He also warned that no citizen should feel foreign in their own\nhomeland and stressed that differences must not become a reason for\nconflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be no Indonesia without diversity,\u201d Gibran stated.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/vice-president-lunar-new-year-festivities-reflect-the-courage-of-gus-dur-and-megawati-1772273164", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }