President: All religious groups free to perform positive activity

Antara News, Monday, May 31, 2010 03:28 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said all religious groups in Indonesia were free to perform their positive activities without being prevented by any party.

In his address at Waisak national holiday to mark the Budha`s birth, enlightenment, and death at Kemayoran Jakarta Fair ground here on Sunday evening, President Yudhoyono said the state acknowledged and respected the rights of all people in the country with various tribes, religions, cultures, and languages.

"I would like to reassert that ours is a democratic county based on people`s sovereignty, and in a democratic country the government guarantees the existence of all groups, religions, isms, and ethnicities," President Yudhoyono said.

According to the head of state, no party in a pluralist country should create discrimination and selfishness without solidarity.

"In our beloved country there should be no group of people feels to be above the other group, because we all a the same level with the same right and responsibility," he added.

Accompanied by Vice President Boediono and a number of cabinet ministers on the occasion, the president said the plurality as a specific characteristic of Indonesia should be maintained in full sincerity and seriousness.

He added that all national elements in the country must be sheltered and protected by by upholding the motto of "Bhineka Tunggal Ika" (The Unity in Diversity).

"It is with slogan of Unity in Diversity that we can manage and develop our nation to be in parallel with other nations," the president said.

The head of state in his address also called on Buddhist community in Indonesia to continue maintaining and developing the noble values of this moderate, tolerant, and pluralist nation.

"Let us build friendship and brotherhood among us in this democratic era to gain a perfect harmony," President Yudhoyono said, expressing hope that the Buddhist community could sow the seed of wisdom and love in the dynamic of the economic and political development.