Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on the National Celebration of the 2026 Lunar New Year in Hambalang Village, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, February 28, 2026

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. 

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya, 

Greetings of Virtue.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow citizens who celebrate the Lunar New Year (Imlek), wherever you may be,

I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and myself, I wish you a Happy Lunar New Year 2577, the Year of the Fire Horse. Gong Xi Fa Cai.

The Lunar New Year is not merely a religious celebration. It is a national, fraternity, and unity momentum. The 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration, with the theme of “Harmony of Imlek across the Archipelago,” reflects our national identity as a nation that is great because of diversity, strong because of unity, and solid because of togetherness.

This celebration not only demonstrates tradition and culture. It underscores the values of mutual cooperation, solidarity, and humanity. The 2026 Imlek Festival is a celebration that stresses that Indonesia was not built by a single ethnicity or group, but by all elements of the nation.

This year’s Imlek celebration has a profound meaning. It arrives together with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. This is Indonesia’s real face. Harmonious in differences. United in purpose despite the diversity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Indonesia is a great nation. Great nations are not afraid of differences. Great nations nurture differences as a strength. The 2026 Imlek Festival is taking place in many cities across Indonesia, from Medan, Palembang, Batam, Bogor, Semarang, Solo, Surabaya, Pontianak, Singkawang, Makassar, and Manado. The harmony exists throughout the Archipelago. This is proof that Indonesia’s unity is more than a slogan. Indonesia’s unity is a reality.

“Harmony of Imlek across the Archipelago” symbolizes the future of the nation that is built with togetherness, hard work, unity, and courage to stand as one nation. Let us begin the new year with optimism, with courage, and with determination to make a just, prosperous, and dignified Indonesia.

I hope the New Year of the Fire Horse brings blessings, health, peace, and new hope to us all. Gong Xi Fa Cai. Happy New Year. May luck, health, and happiness accompany us all.

I thank you.

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

May prosperity be upon us all.

Shalom,

Salve,

Om santi santi santi om,

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

(DH/LW)