Gibran Praises Gus Dur's Courage and Megawati's Approval of Chinese New Year Celebration

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming has stated that the open celebration of Chinese New Year (Imlek) now visible in various public spaces across Indonesia is the fruit of the bravery of the nation’s leaders in preserving Indonesia’s diversity.

“We must be grateful and appreciate that the beauty of lanterns adorning streets, the vibrancy of lion dances appearing in public spaces, and the warm, joyful atmosphere filled with togetherness in Imlek celebrations today are the fruits of the courage and steadfastness of the nation’s leaders in preserving our diversity,” Gibran said through a statement from the Office of the Vice President in Jakarta on Saturday (28 February), as cited by Antara.

Gibran noted that the warm and inclusive atmosphere of Imlek celebrations symbolises the state’s strong commitment to guaranteeing every citizen the right to express their cultural identity.

According to him, this significant change originated from the decision made by Indonesia’s fourth president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) through Presidential Decree No. 6 of 2000, which rescinded various restrictions on Chinese cultural expression.

Gibran quoted Gus Dur’s message that all citizens, regardless of religion, possess equal recognition and status before the law.

“Through Presidential Decree No. 6 of 2000, Gus Dur made a policy that was not merely administrative, but rather a historical milestone that teaches us the true meaning of tolerance and brotherhood,” Gibran stated.

Furthermore, Gibran noted that this policy was later strengthened by Indonesia’s fifth president Megawati Soekarnoputri, who in 2002 designated Imlek as a national holiday.

This designation is regarded as a complete acknowledgement that every citizen has the right to celebrate their traditions and beliefs without fear or marginalisation.

According to Gibran, Indonesia is a large home built from diversity, not uniformity.

“This is a tangible manifestation of the complete recognition that every citizen has the equal right to express their cultural identity because Indonesia is a large home built not from uniformity, but from diversity,” he said.

Culture, Gibran stated, must not be imprisoned by prejudice, and the right to celebrate traditions is part of human dignity guaranteed by the constitution.

Gibran emphasised that democracy is not merely about majority rule, but also about commitment to justice, whereby the state must be present for all citizens without exception.

The eldest son of Indonesia’s seventh president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on young people to preserve the spirit and legacy of the nation’s leaders’ thinking in maintaining an inclusive public space.

Gibran also urged that no citizen should feel foreign in their own homeland, and emphasised that differences must not become a reason for conflict.

“There would be no Indonesia without diversity,” Gibran concluded.