Central Lampung Seen as a Potential Model for Interfaith Harmony

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK) regards Central Lampung Regency as having great potential to be a model for interfaith harmony for other regions. Deputy for Coordination of Character Building and National Identity Strengthening at Kemenko PMK Warsito highlighted the positive achievement of Central Lampung Regency in the Interfaith Harmony Index (KUB), reaching 80.36 in 2025, above the national average of 77.89. “Central Lampung, with all its pluralism, is hoped to become a model, both at the provincial level of Lampung and nationally, that religious plurality is not a barrier, but a strength,” Warsito said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday. He stressed that peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths is a crucial foundation in national development and in strengthening social cohesion. Warsito, who is also a former Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Lampung University, emphasised the importance of strengthening the cooperation dimension in the three pillars of interfaith harmony: tolerance, equality, and cooperation. According to him, the cooperation dimension still needs strengthening because its national value is still below the other two pillars, at below 70. “National data on the KUB index show that the pillar of inter-religious cooperation is still low. We need to realise that cooperation concretely, for example through the establishment of a joint cooperative or cross-religion collaboration forums that have direct impacts on the community,” he said. He also reminded that infrastructure development needs to be balanced with social development that includes strengthening social inclusion, social cohesion, and community empowerment. “Moreover, digital literacy is also deemed important considering that the digital space often triggers disharmony in society,” he said. “Central Lampung is a regency rich in diversity of religions and beliefs. We support and are ready to fully oversee this activity,” said Koheri.