In his speech at the commemoration of the Lunar New Year held by the Supreme Council for Confucian Religion in Indonesia (Matakin) here on Monday President Yudhoyono appealed to all parties to find the right solution, in case of meeting a religious conflict, by asking for advice from religious leaders concerned.
"What is clear is let us prevent and avoid violence in settling the problem. If we are trapped into easily resorting to violence and taking the law into our own hands we are really denying and damage the values, norms and principles of a law-based state, democracy and the state that upholds multiculturalism and religious diversity," he said.
President Yudhoyono reminded all of the importance of settling all problems linked to inter-community and -religious relations well, peacefully in line with the constitution and other legal principles.
Indonesia, he said, is a multi-religious and multi-cultural country that respects the law and democratic values and therefore people must develop their social life according to democratic and legal principles.
In view of that he called on all citizens to always act wisely and respect each other and tolerance.
"Let us keep learning and implement wisdom and values in our life such as respecting each other and upholding tolerance," he said.
On the occasion he reiterated again the government`s commitment to stopping and eradicating policies considered discriminative towards the Confucian religious followers.
He said the government would continue to improve its public service fairly and well to all religious followers including the Confucian followers.
"We have achieved and done a lot and with regard to some technical and administrative problems that still remain in several regios I call for their immediately settlement," he said.
To the minister of religious affairs and heads of regions he appealed to settle the remaining problems concerning with public service to Confucian followers by the end of next at the latest.
President Yudhyono attended the event along with vice president Boediono. Before around 3,000 attendees he said he was sorry he was not accompanied by First Lady Any Yudhoyono because she was sick after accompanying him during a four day visit to East Nusa Tenggara last week.
Several ministers attended the event including religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali and trade minister Mari Elka Pangestu. It was also attended by defense forces commander Admiral Suhartono and national police chief General Timur Pradopo. (*)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
