REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono emphasized four points in his state of the nation address on Friday, in celebration of 68th Indonesia's independence day.
"There are four key points that I would like to emphasize this time," he said on the eve of the Independence Day on August 17, 2013.
He noted the the four key points were the importance of the ability to manage the economy amidst global economic uncertainty, harmony and tolerance of the nation, the importance of the success of general elections and the national succession, and the importance of maintaining the national sovereignty.
The president said that religious tolerance was important to build inter-religious harmony and Indonesia protect the rights of every element in this country. Indonesia, he said, must interpret diversity as a blessing.
"Indonesia guarantees the existence of entirely individual and minority groups. Spirit of unity is needed to strengthen tolerance and prevent conflict and communal violance," Yudhoyono said.
The president also asked Indonesian people to abide by the rules and respect differences including in faith and reiligious belief. No group was allowed to impose its belief to others, he said.
President Yudhoyono also pointed out that the role of Indonesia at present continued to develop regionally and internationally. According to him, Indonesia will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bali in October 2013, in addition to World Cultural Summit and the World Trade Organization ministerial meetings.
"Therefore, I ask all components of the nation to make those events a success," President Yudhoyono said, adding that Indonesian peace-keeping mission had a great contribution the world.
Still the best in the world
Vice Chairman of People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Hajriyanto Y Thohari claimed that religious tolerance in Indonesia was still the best in the world. He cited an example that religious festivities in Indonesia were always marked as national holidays.
"While Eid holiday is hard to find in Western countries, which often dictate Indonesia about tolerance," Thohari said on Friday.
Tolerance and pluralism in Indonesia are much more appreciated than any other Western countries. Thohari added, any religious intolerance still persisting in this country should not be an excuse to sideline democracy.
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