People pray for the military

JAKARTA (JP): More than 200 Betawi people (indigenous Jakartans) performed prayers during Friday service at the Al Bahri mosque, East Jakarta, yesterday for the safety of troops assigned to keep order and security in the city.

The prayers were conducted by Eddy Nalapraya, a respected Betawi public figure, who was once a deputy governor.

Also attending the service were Jakarta Military Chief Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso and several other Jakarta military figures.

Following the service Sutiyoso symbolically donated 300 bags of cement to help renovate the mosque.

"The donation is part of the Jakarta Military Command's 47th anniversary," said Sutiyoso.

As an expression of gratitude, the Betawi community living in East Jakarta pledged they would do their utmost to lend a hand to Jakarta Military Command troops in preserving order and security in the city, especially in the run-up to next year's general election.

In his speech during the service, Sutiyoso said that in line with the rapid global changes all people should resist any bad influence brought about by the changes, but at the same time they should try to adjust to the process of globalization.

"I also emphasized the need to continue preserving the inter- religion harmony which augurs well for our untiring efforts as symbolized in the motto: unity in diversity. This automatically serves to maintain a well-knit and cohesive national political stability," he said. (bas)