Ibas Yudhoyono: Lunar New Year Values Teach Virtuous Living and Hard Work
Jakarta, VIVA – To mark Chinese New Year 2577 Kongzili, Deputy Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, known as Ibas, extended warm Lunar New Year greetings whilst calling on the entire nation to use the celebration as a space for reflection on virtue, brotherhood, and the spirit of togetherness as a nation.
“Happy Chinese New Year 2577 Kongzili, Gong He Xin Xi, Wan Shi Ru Yi, to the Confucian community and all citizens who celebrate,” said Ibas in a written statement on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Entering the New Year 2577, which in the Chinese calendar is the Year of the Fire Horse, Ibas offered particular reflections on the philosophy and energy carried by this symbol. The Fire Horse is known as a symbol representing speed, strength, and burning passion.
“The Year of the Fire Horse is a year full of energy and dynamism. For the Chinese community and for all of us as a nation, this is a moment to move faster, work harder, yet maintain a cool head. The Horse symbolises steadfastness in pressing forward, whilst the Fire element provides the courage to make breakthroughs,” Ibas explained.
He expressed hope that the energy of the Fire Horse could be transformed into national optimism to accelerate development and strengthen economic resilience.
“Let us use the spirit of the Fire Horse to race ahead and catch up, to drive innovation, whilst ensuring that this ‘fire’ becomes a source of illumination and warmth for unity, rather than a fire that scorches harmony,” he added.
The MPR RI leader, who coordinates the Assessment Division, noted that every cultural celebration in Indonesia carries a message about life. Lunar New Year, for instance, teaches the meaning of family, hard work, perseverance, and hope for a better future.
Ibas observed that Indonesian society inherently shares these same characteristics: respecting elders, maintaining family bonds, working hard for the future of their children, and preserving harmony with their surroundings.
“The values of Lunar New Year teach us that life must be lived with virtue, with hard work, and with good hope. These are universal values that are also a source of strength for our nation,” he said.
Furthermore, he added that Indonesia’s strength lies not only in its natural resources or economic power, but in the unity of its people. He noted that the sense of togetherness felt during Lunar New Year celebrations — such as gathering with family, sharing blessings, and praying for one another — reflects the values of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) that form the nation’s identity.