"I like soto and kupat tahu (tofu rice cake)," the President said, regarding the two special dishes of Pacitan district during a post-fasting month gathering, Pacitan-Ngawi-Magetan-Madiun-Ponorogo (Pawitandirogo) communities, at Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII) on Saturday.
Accompanied by his wife, Mme Ani Yudhoyono, the president said he longs for the special side dishes which originated in his hometown.
During the event, which was attended by many Pacitan natives and residents of other districts in East Java, Yudhoyono expressed his hopes that those present would always guard the image of their respective hometowns and their nation.
"You should not act with deeds that could tarnish the image of your hometowns and nation," the head of state said.
Yudhoyono also expressed the need for citizens to maintain their regional identities.
"Although Indonesia is united in its diversity, it does not mean that we disregard the importance of personal (ethnic) identity," the president said during the gathering, which was attended by some 10,000 people who came together and were grouped in the associations of Pacitan, Ngawi, Magetan, Madiun, and Ponorogo districts in East Java(Pawitandirogo).
According to the President, as long as the identities were positioned as an asset and a strength of the nation, they would not create a negative impact on the nation`s unity and integrity.
He added that the Pawitandirogo communities were not bound together by a negative primordial bond. Rather, the Pawitandirogo could contribute to their communities, the nation and the state.
Further, the president expressed his conviction that community groups were still relevant in the currently globalized world and would not undermine the country`s unity and integrity.
The gathering was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, and Culture and Education Minister Muhammad Nuh.
(A014/INE/H-YH/KR-BSR)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
