History has made it clear that the youths' decisions (and activities) at that time had become a strong milestone toward the independence (of Indonesia)
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali urged the Indonesian youth to develop the existing potential of Indonesia to help advance the nation during the 2022 Youth Pledge Day commemoration on Friday.

The minister, representing President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), officially inaugurated the main event of the 94th Youth Pledge Day with East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor at the site of Indonesia’s future capital (IKN), Nusantara, in North Penajam Paser district, East Kalimantan province, on Friday.

The Youth Pledge Day holds a significant meaning for Indonesian youth, Amali noted.

"By raising the theme of ‘United to Build the Nation,’ this commemoration is a momentum to increase our spirit together to develop the nation," he said in a statement.

The Youth Pledge, which was declared on October 28, 1928, taught Indonesian people to embrace differences in ethnicity, religion, race, culture, attitude, and interests as well as regard those differences as a strength, not weakness, he noted.

The pledge was followed by a series of youth movements, which led to the proclamation of Indonesian independence, the minister added.

"History has made it clear that the youths' decisions (and activities) at that time had become a strong milestone toward the independence (of Indonesia)," he remarked.

Still, synchronized and harmonious collaboration between stakeholders needs to be improved since efforts to develop the current young generation cannot be made by the government alone, he said.

"Hence, starting from the Zero Point of the (future) capital of the Nusantara, we invite all parties throughout the nation to collaborate to move and encourage Indonesian youths to develop various existing potentials to realize the glory of the nation," Amali added.

Furthermore, he shared the reason for choosing the IKN for hosting the main event of the 2022 Youth Pledge Day commemoration.

"I cherish the IKN, as I was the head of the first special committee on the approval of the (development of the future) capital city of Nusantara," he said.

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Translator: Muhammad Ramdan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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