NKRI is Undisputed, President Jokowi Says
President Jokowi attends the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad PBUH (Mawlid an-Nabi) with M. Luthfi Bin Yahya, at Kanzus Sholawat Building, Pekalongan, Sunday (8/1). (Foto: Humas/Deni)
The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) needs unity and NKRI is undisputed, said President Joko Jokowi Widodo during the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad PBUH (Mawlid an-Nabi) held at Kanzus Sholawat Building in Pekalongan on Sunday (81).
On that occasion, President Jokowi also gave his appreciation to local cleric Muhammad Luthfi Bin Yahya for starting the celebration not only by singing national anthem Indonesia Raya but also with Pancasila (state ideology) recitation. I just knew that this practice (reciting Pancasila and singing national anthem) is only here, the President said.
President Jokowi added that Prophet Muhammad PBUH once made a political contract with all elements of the society through the Charter of Madina to create unity. With the Charter of Madina, it is very clear that Islam respects diversity of races, groups, and faiths, President Jokowi said.
Furthermore, Indonesia has 34 provinces, around 500 regencies and cities from Sabang until Merauke, more than 700 ethnicities, and more than 1,100 regional languages and it is these strengths that need to be capitalized on, President Jokowi said.
President Jokowi also hopes that unity among people of different ethnicities, groups, faiths, and among different components of the country can continue to be maintained. If were busy fighting among us instead of uniting our strengths and potentials, we will be a losing nation, instead of becoming a winning nation, the President firmly said.
On that occasion, President Jokowi also mentioned the challenge of social media through which information from any sources can be received by anyone without filters. We have to remember that our world is now very open. Many information are not filtered and screened, leading to misunderstanding that can finally risks our unity. This is what we have to avoid, the President said.
In the meantime, M. Luthfi called on the people to support the Government to create a prosperous and advanced nation. Do not divide NKRI, Luthfi said, adding that unity is Indonesias strength.
Joining the President at the event were Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo, Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Tito Karnavian, and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo. (RMI/ES) (Naster/YM/EP)
