Lunar New Year in Batam: AHY Highlights Tolerance and Infrastructure
Batam, Beritasatu.com - Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), celebrated Lunar New Year 2577 with the Chinese community in Batam, Riau Islands Province, on Monday (16/2/2026). During the occasion, AHY stressed the importance of maintaining unity and tolerance amidst Indonesia’s diversity.
AHY regarded the Lunar New Year celebration held at Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay as a powerful symbol of the living spirit of diversity in society. He described Batam as a real example of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) in practice.
“I am very happy to be with the Chinese community in Batam tonight to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2577,” AHY told reporters after the event.
He noted that Lunar New Year is now widely celebrated across various regions in Indonesia, reflecting the spirit of togetherness in national life. Indonesia, he said, remains capable of living in harmony despite its diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
“Lunar New Year is now celebrated everywhere because we are one entity. The spirit tonight shows that we can live in harmony and tolerance even though Indonesia is a very large and pluralistic nation,” he explained.
AHY also highlighted the importance of continuing development, including in the infrastructure sector, in line with the spirit of the Year of the Fire Horse. He hoped the Lunar New Year momentum would serve as fresh energy to accelerate national and regional development.
Batam, according to AHY, is a peaceful, multicultural city that continues to grow as a centre for economy and investment. Infrastructure development is considered key to strengthening the region’s competitiveness.
“Hopefully in the Year of the Fire Horse we will have strong energy and courage to continue building the nation, including infrastructure development,” he said.
On the same occasion, Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanegara provided the latest update on the Rempang area. He said the situation over the past year had become increasingly conducive and created a more comfortable investment climate.
The government, he continued, remains supportive of the Batam Enterprise Agency (BP Batam) and the Batam City Government in maintaining stability in the area.
In addition, the Ministry of Transmigration has handed over 16 fishing vessels to the community as a form of economic empowerment. The assistance is expected to increase residents’ income and support the welfare of communities in the area.
“The hope is that people do not just move to a new place, but also have jobs that generate sustainable income,” Iftitah stressed.