"The upcoming election will not divide us because of our strong national bond. Hence, we will not be divided merely because of political differences," Amin said, according to a Vice Presidential Secretariat statement received here on Sunday.
In an interview with private media Kompas TV on Saturday (April 22) evening, he said that Eid al-Fitr is a medium to enhance ties among kin and relatives as they are celebrating the occasion together.
While encouraging people to improve relations and reconcile with each other during Eid, the vice president also highlighted the need to maintain good relations, particularly ahead of the general election next year.
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Meanwhile, Amin said that as elections have been part of the Indonesians' lives as a nation for decades, he believes people can respond to political differences in the appropriate manner.
"Elections are a recurring occasion in our country, and we are accustomed to it. Being big-hearted is something that we need in elections because it is a mechanism that we have agreed on in our state administration," the vice president stressed.
He also stressed that political differences must not cause enmity among each other, while adding that such differences are reasonable and should be responded wisely.
"Political differences in our democracy is inevitable ... it is even necessary. However, such differences must not cause enmity (among each other). It must be responded to in harmonious and peaceful manner," Amin remarked.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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