"The year of politics should be colored with an attitude that highly preserves tolerance and mutual respect and honor. We should keep away from the behavior that wants to bring down and blaspheme with each other. We should keep away from anarchic acts, detrimental rallies and defamation which smear the tolerance sphere," the President said when attending the celebration of the National Dharma Shanti Hindu Day of Silence here on Sunday.
President Yudhoyono called on all religious leaders, including Hindu leaders, to jointly encourage religious communities to preserve tolerance and security and orderliness.
"On this good occasion, I call on religious leaders in the country, including Hindu leaders, to help maintain religious harmony," President Yudhoyono said.
In the meantime, Chairman of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council Maj. Gen. SN Suwisma said his side was calling on the people to give priority to solidarity amid the sphere of political competition.
"We hope that all citizens will give priority to the interest of nation and state rather than to personal and group interests. Competition in a political constellation is natural. But it should be based on solidarity not on hostility," he said.
The celebration of the National Dharma Shanti Hindu Day of Silence was also attended by First Lady Mrs Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono and his wife Mrs Herawati Boediono, cabinet ministers and other state officials.
(A014)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
