"I invite all parties to participate in making this important national agenda a success. Confucian religious figures should play a bigger role in supporting calm and peaceful elections," Amin remarked.
He also invited Confucians to exercise their political rights in the 2024 elections responsibly.
At the event themed, "It's Shame to Be Shameless, It Makes People Not to Bear Shame," organized by the High Council of Indonesian Confucian Religion (Matakin), Amin affirmed that Indonesia should be able to demonstrate its democratic maturity and ability to manage differences.
Through maturity in democracy, the Indonesian nation will always be blessed with good leaders, he stated.
"With our nation's maturity in democracy, our nation will be given a leader who is able to unite various differences and make it one of the pillars of strength to realize the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045," Amin remarked.
He also called on all religious-based community organizations, including Matakin, to continue to play a role in maintaining inter-religious harmony and building national unity and integrity for the welfare of society.
"Support from all parties, including the role of religious figures and Confucians, will be a stimulus for the government to work more optimally for the progress of the nation," the vice president remarked.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas noted in his speech that the ministry was, for the first time, facilitating the national celebration of the 2575 Kongzili Chinese New Year.
This step was taken as a manifestation of the state and government's concern for the Confucian community as well as to establish harmonious relations between fellow Indonesian citizens.
"Confucianism is one of the elements of the nation that helps strengthen national unity," Qoumas remarked.
"The state recognizes the existence of the Confucian religion the same as other religions and guarantees the right of Confucians to practice religious teachings by expressing their cultural values in this beloved homeland," he stated.
In the meantime, Matakin General Chair Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo highlighted that Indonesia has a valuable treasure in the form of unity that has been built over 350 years.
It is hoped that this important capital would not be damaged by the political contest in the 2024 elections.
"Do not let this nation be divided just because of momentary interests. We have built it for 350 years, plus 78 years, and we are not yet satisfied. Do not let what we fear (the nation being divided) happen," Tanuwibowo stated.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga, Katriana
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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