AHY Celebrates First Lunar New Year in Batam
Batam (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development (IPK) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) celebrated Lunar New Year 2577 in the Nagoya area of Batam, Riau.
"Yes, this is very special. It is the first time I have joined in celebrating Lunar New Year in Batam. I am here together with the Mayor of Batam, the Deputy Mayor of Batam, as well as the Deputy Governor of Kepulauan Riau Province, and the community — thousands of people gathered in this Nagoya area to celebrate the joy of our Chinese community brothers and sisters marking the turn of Lunar New Year 2577," he said at the Lunar New Year 2577/2026 commemoration in Batam on Monday.
He expressed hope that the 2026 Lunar New Year celebrations, which mark the Year of the Fire Horse, would bring spirit, energy and strength to the entire Batam community in maintaining its character as a multicultural city.
Batam has long been known as a city that brings together various ethnic, religious, racial and cultural identities, he continued. All of them live together in harmony, peace and mutual tolerance.
This fact demonstrates that Batam is a miniature of Indonesia founded on the principle of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), thereby always reinforcing the spirit of unity.
"The theme chosen is 'Harmoni Imlek Nusantara' (Lunar New Year Harmony of the Archipelago). From Aceh to Papua, there are 38 provinces, 514 regencies and cities, and 17 thousand islands. Let us unite them in a spirit for Golden Indonesia," he said.
As Coordinating Minister for IPK, he has a duty and responsibility to promote and ensure that infrastructure development across all regions genuinely boosts economic growth. Furthermore, inter-regional connectivity must also raise the welfare of communities throughout the nation.
In this context, AHY explained that Batam is one of the economic engines that must be supported as it possesses a Free Trade Zone (FTZ).
"Batam was designed from the outset by its founders, including President B.J. Habibie at the time, so that Batam could become a window, an economic gateway in the Southeast Asian region and ultimately the world," the Coordinating Minister said.
"Therefore, the already strong economic growth must continue to be safeguarded and improved. But remember, ultimately there is no economic growth more important than equitable economic growth. This means everyone must feel the benefits of prosperity," AHY said.
"Yes, this is very special. It is the first time I have joined in celebrating Lunar New Year in Batam. I am here together with the Mayor of Batam, the Deputy Mayor of Batam, as well as the Deputy Governor of Kepulauan Riau Province, and the community — thousands of people gathered in this Nagoya area to celebrate the joy of our Chinese community brothers and sisters marking the turn of Lunar New Year 2577," he said at the Lunar New Year 2577/2026 commemoration in Batam on Monday.
He expressed hope that the 2026 Lunar New Year celebrations, which mark the Year of the Fire Horse, would bring spirit, energy and strength to the entire Batam community in maintaining its character as a multicultural city.
Batam has long been known as a city that brings together various ethnic, religious, racial and cultural identities, he continued. All of them live together in harmony, peace and mutual tolerance.
This fact demonstrates that Batam is a miniature of Indonesia founded on the principle of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), thereby always reinforcing the spirit of unity.
"The theme chosen is 'Harmoni Imlek Nusantara' (Lunar New Year Harmony of the Archipelago). From Aceh to Papua, there are 38 provinces, 514 regencies and cities, and 17 thousand islands. Let us unite them in a spirit for Golden Indonesia," he said.
As Coordinating Minister for IPK, he has a duty and responsibility to promote and ensure that infrastructure development across all regions genuinely boosts economic growth. Furthermore, inter-regional connectivity must also raise the welfare of communities throughout the nation.
In this context, AHY explained that Batam is one of the economic engines that must be supported as it possesses a Free Trade Zone (FTZ).
"Batam was designed from the outset by its founders, including President B.J. Habibie at the time, so that Batam could become a window, an economic gateway in the Southeast Asian region and ultimately the world," the Coordinating Minister said.
"Therefore, the already strong economic growth must continue to be safeguarded and improved. But remember, ultimately there is no economic growth more important than equitable economic growth. This means everyone must feel the benefits of prosperity," AHY said.