"To this end, do not let our nation's unity and oneness disappear or get obscured by provocation and ambition, covered with a variety of identities," he said in a statement made available to ANTARA in Jakarta on Sunday.
Hadi Tjahjanto again highlighted the importance of upholding the unity in diversity for maintaining the country's peace and stability when speaking at the TNI headquarters in Central Jakarta on Saturday.
Tjahjanto was accompanied by several military top brass, including the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Commander, Lt.Gen.Eko Margiyono, and the Army's Special Forces Command (Kopassus) General Commander, Maj.Gen.Mohammad Hasan.
He emphasized that the TNI soldiers are the primary instrument of Indonesia's defense to protect all Indonesian citizens, and will not let any enemy of the state disrupt the nation's noble goals.
ANTARA noted that both President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and many other national political figures, including former vice president Jusuf Kalla have repeatedly highlighted the importance of upholding the nation's unity in diversity.
In his State of the Nation Address at the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on August 16, 2019, President Jokowi stressed that unity would help the nation find huge energy to propel its entire strength and thoughts towards an advanced Indonesia.
"In this unity, we find solidarity, attention, and the spirit of sharing among the children of the nation."
The president expressed his strong belief that Indonesia's unity would remain peaceful, and by holding on to this unity of Indonesia's spirit, this great house would never, ever crumble, nor fall apart, nor vanish.
Instead, Indonesia would forever stand tall not only for 100 or 500 years in the future but for eternity, he said.
For former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, an economic welfare is so indispensable because, with a fair prosperity, Indonesia's unity in diversity can remain intact.
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Translator: Zuhdiar L, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
