Coordinating Minister AHY: Cap Go Meh Festival sends harmony message amid global uncertainty
Singkawang, West Kalimantan (ANTARA) — Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has characterised the 2026 Cap Go Meh Festival in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, as a powerful symbol of unity and harmony amidst current global dynamics marked by uncertainty.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Cap Go Meh Festival in Singkawang on Tuesday, 3 March, AHY described Singkawang as one of Indonesia’s prominent cultural melting pots and a showcase of the nation’s diversity.
“The 2026 Cap Go Meh Festival is not merely an expression of noble traditions and culture that must be preserved and maintained, but also proof that Indonesia continually faces diversity and we must make it our strength,” he stated.
AHY noted that the world currently faces geopolitical pressures, including conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, which have impacted economic uncertainty and global security stability. These impacts, he noted, are also felt across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.
Consequently, AHY called upon all sectors of society to maintain national stability and continue development efforts to realise an increasingly advanced and prosperous Indonesia in the 21st century.
“We must strive with all our might to ensure Indonesia continues its spirit of realising an advanced and prosperous nation under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, together with the central government, regional authorities, and all stakeholders,” he said.
According to AHY, the Cap Go Meh celebration in Singkawang sends a strong message to the world that diversity can thrive within unity and harmony.
He referenced the broader theme of the 2026 Lunar New Year, “Harmoni Imlek Nusantara” (Lunar New Year Harmony of the Archipelago), which he considered aligned with Indonesia’s national spirit.
Although Lunar New Year celebrations were held in Jakarta previously, AHY remarked that Singkawang held particular significance for him as he witnessed this exceptional cultural festival firsthand for the first time.
He also praised Singkawang’s diverse community composition, comprising various ethnicities including Chinese, Malay, Dayak, and others, which he viewed as a social strength that must be continuously safeguarded within the framework of national unity.
“May Singkawang grow increasingly advanced and modern, yet retain its strong character. We must remain focused on national development and human resources rooted in the nation’s identity,” he said.
In closing his remarks, AHY congratulated the successful hosting of the 2026 Cap Go Meh Festival and extended Lunar New Year 2577 Kongzili wishes to the celebrating community, uttering the traditional greeting “Gong Xi Fa Cai, Xin Nian Kuai Le.”