Tradition of Maintaining Ties Preserved: Semarang Mayor Visits Predecessors

Semarang Mayor, Agustina Wilujeng, along with officials from the Regional Device Organisations (OPD), conducted silaturahmi and halal bihalal visits to the residences of former Semarang Mayors, namely Sukawi Sutarip, Soemarmo HS, and Hendrar Prihadi. Additionally, the group also paid a pilgrimage to the grave of Sutrisno Suharto on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

Agustina stated that this activity serves as an important momentum to strengthen bonds of brotherhood while absorbing aspirations from the figures who have contributed to building the capital of Central Java.

“To foster silaturahmi and seek various considerations, to discuss many things that we understand: building a city cannot be discontinuous. It must be sustained; whatever has been done by our predecessors must be continued,” said Agustina.

She also emphasised that the continuity of development programmes is the key to Semarang’s progress. Agustina affirmed that every current achievement is a foundation laid by previous leaders, so improvements in various sectors must continue to be made for the welfare of the community. “What is lacking, we add; what is not yet perfect, we perfect; what is good, we make better; what is great, we make even greater,” she said.

Agustina also highlighted energy efficiency policies in the ASN environment. She encouraged the use of public transportation and work-from-anywhere (WFA) methods as concrete steps to reduce fuel consumption in Semarang city.

“The main point is not the WFA itself; the main point is efficiency for fuel. Perhaps reducing the amount of fuel that has been budgeted in the Semarang City Government. The important thing is to reduce BBM,” she said.

In the series of silaturahmi events, the Semarang City Government delegation stopped by the residence of former Semarang Mayor, Soemarmo H.S. The arrival of the group was warmly welcomed by Soemarno’s extended family. On that occasion, Soemarmo expressed appreciation for the tradition of silaturahmi that continues to be maintained by the current leadership as a form of respect for predecessors.

“I personally appreciate Mrs Mayor and her entire team very much. What I initiated when I served the Semarang city community, annual silaturahmi with former or senior officials who have held the positions of Mayor or Deputy Mayor,” revealed Soemarmo.

In addition to visiting figures who are still actively contributing ideas, the group also paid a pilgrimage to the grave of the late Soetrisno Suharto. An emotional moment enveloped the meeting with the wife of the late Soetrisno Suharto, Siti Khomsiti, who expressed deep gratitude for the attention from the Semarang City Government, including the restoration of her late husband’s grave.

“We express many thanks to Mrs Mayor because I am moved. Because you have built the grave of our late husband. At that time we requested permission to restore Father’s grave, I cried then, thank you,” said Siti.