Coordinating Minister AHY's hopes for the nation at Lunar New Year 2026
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) expressed hope that a positive trend would carry into the 2026 Lunar New Year, particularly in the area of national development.
AHY made the remarks after attending the Lunar New Year 2026 eve celebrations in Batam, Riau Islands. On his first visit for the occasion, AHY was enthusiastically welcomed by thousands of Batam residents in the Nagoya area.
“The spirit of tonight also demonstrates that we can live in harmony, unity and tolerance, even though Indonesia is a very large, very diverse and very pluralistic nation,” AHY said at the Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay, Batam, Riau Islands, as reported on Tuesday (17/2/2026).
“Bhinneka Tunggal Ika is not merely a slogan but is truly grounded, especially here in Batam, which is renowned as a peaceful, multicultural city that continues to deliver progress,” he added.
The Lunar New Year 2577 Kongzili marks the Year of the Fire Horse. AHY expressed hope that the blazing spirit of the Fire Horse could serve as a powerful energy to drive national development.
“Hopefully in the Year of the Fire Horse we can all bring strong energy, courage, and a high, burning spirit to continue the development of the nation. Hopefully this will also become a special spirit for all of us, and once again Batam is always special — may this also be a positive energy for other regions,” AHY said.
Batam as a miniature Indonesia
AHY assessed that it would not be an overstatement to call Batam a miniature Indonesia. He said the city’s pluralism and tolerance were among the evidence supporting this view.
“I think this shows that Batam has become one of Indonesia’s miniatures, a centre of diversity and multiculturalism celebrated tolerantly in beautiful harmony,” AHY said, accompanied by Transmigration Minister M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara.
He said this represented a strength for the Indonesian nation. He also expressed hope that Indonesia would remain harmonious and could focus on economic transformation towards a more advanced Indonesia.
“Hopefully this year everyone will be granted health, strength and success in their various professions. Of course, we hope Batam will also become more advanced, supported by the business world which is also growing, opening up employment opportunities, and that its people will become more prosperous,” he said.
Joining traditional customs
Coordinating Minister AHY was seen taking part in the traditional Lunar New Year custom of Lo Hei. He was joined by Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman, who also participated in the tradition.
AHY said he was impressed by the Lunar New Year celebration in Batam, Riau Islands. “We certainly continue to rejoice because this is such a warm expression, and Lunar New Year is now celebrated everywhere, across all of Indonesia, because we are one unity,” AHY said at the Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay, Batam, on Monday evening (16/2/2026).
After delivering his address, AHY joined in the Lo Hei tradition. Lo Hei is a customary tradition in Lunar New Year celebrations each year, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The tradition, which involves mixing various traditional foods, symbolises prosperity and abundance.
Tossing the Yusheng dish
AHY and Transmigration Minister Iftitah formed a circle around a round table on stage. On it, a dish called Yusheng had been prepared, containing salad and various foods.
One distinctive ingredient was raw salmon. AHY, Minister Iftitah and other officials all tossed and mixed the ingredients together. This was the climax of the Lo Hei tradition before dinner was served.
During the occasion, AHY also enjoyed a five-course meal, including starters and dessert. For the main course, the Democratic Party chairman was seen dining on chicken alongside the Chinese-Indonesian community in Batam.