Jakarta (ANTARA) - Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas extended Chinese New Year wishes to the Confucian people residing in Indonesia and prayed for the progress of the Indonesian nation.

"Happy Chinese New Year, Gong He Xin Xi, Wan Shi Ru Yi. We wish everyone success in welcoming a more advanced Indonesia. The New Year is always the right time for evaluation in order to achieve a better life," the minister said in a statement issued here on Friday.

This year's Chinese New Year is close to the general election, which will be held on February 14, 2024.

Taking note of this, the minister said he hoped that the election would take place safely, smoothly, honestly, fairly, and with dignity, and that the best leader would be elected to lead Indonesia.

"Use our right to vote responsibly and respect each other's differences in choices. Continue to maintain religious harmony because that is the main capital for development," he added.

This year's Chinese New Year celebration is themed "Shame when you don't know shame, this makes people bear no shame."

The theme seeks to remind all parties of the importance of having a sense of shame, said the minister.

"Be ashamed to say something dishonestly, be ashamed when you see inappropriate things, be ashamed to hear things that are not good, be ashamed when you take something that is not your own, and be ashamed to do something that is not right," he added.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Katriana
Editor: Arie Novarina
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