“I would like to invite Buddhists to support the elections by maintaining a sense of peace ahead of the political year of 2024,” Hartono said after receiving a visit from representatives of the Indonesian Buddhists Association (Permabudhi) in DKI Town Hall, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday.
"Let's provide peace to the people so that they can exercise their voting rights peacefully," he added.
On the occasion, the governor also lauded Permabudhi for its efforts to ensure that its followers help uphold the provincial government's commitment to creating a harmonious and peaceful life in the capital city.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of Permabudhi Philip K. Widjaja said that the meeting with Hartono was held to discuss the development of followership.
"The governor appreciated our efforts in developing the Buddhists that are carried out under the work of cooperation with the broader element of the society, including the people of other beliefs," the chairperson added.
Ahead of the 2024 Pemilu, the Jakarta provincial government has asked Buddhists to take part in efforts to create a peaceful situation, with no uproars nor any activities that could spark division among people of different religious beliefs, Widjaja said.
"We fully support the government in its efforts to create a peaceful atmosphere. We are also committed to promoting the idea of religious moderation pioneered by the Ministry of Religious Affairs," he stressed.
Widjaja further said that such moderation aims for a balance, neither leaning to the far right nor left, in terms of religious affairs.
According to him, it is necessary to seek the middle path with a pure mind for the sake of building a better Indonesia.
The chairperson also reiterated the government's hope that Buddhists would be able to convey their aspirations to make a contribution to the development of Indonesian society as a whole.
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Translator: Siti Nurhaliza, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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