Medan - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday called North Sumatra a model for national harmony thanks to its success in managing its ethnic and religious differences.
Speaking in a forum for regents, mayors and other local officials and with Governor Syamsul Arifin acting as MC, the President said: "I really respect the harmony in this pluralist society. I want this to be well-maintained."
The President and first lady Ani Yudhoyono along with several ministers were here for a three-day visit to close the week-long Lake Toba Festival, officiate a grand paddy harvest in Simalungun regency and meet with his Democratic Party functionaries in the province.
According to the President, the province`s heterogeneity in ethnicity, religions and cultures would leave it prone to conflict if not managed wisely.
He praised the community for managing all the differences and carrying out a development program to improve people`s welfare.
Yudhoyono also expressed his optimism that the province would be able to maintain the security and order through the 2009 general election.
North Sumatra, a home to 12.6 million, has been known for its Bataknese culture, but its major ethnic groups are in fact Javanese (33 percent), Bataknese, Melayu and Nias. All religions are found in the province.
The President said the harmony was the fruit of hard work of many, including religious leaders, cultural and ethnic figures and the press.
The harmony was tested when a number of hard-line groups brought about sectarian conflict from 2001 to 2003.
Yudhoyono called on all ethic and religious communities not to abandon such social capital and to nurture the harmony to achieve advancements in the area economy that had already reached 7 percent annual growth.
Separately, Minister Mardiyanto said the presidential visit, SBY`s 15th visit to the province, was the longest the President had ever conducted across the archipelago during his term.
"I hope this will further flourish the spirit of North Sumatran people in developing their province," Mardiyanto said. Apriadi Gunawan
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/ (July 19, 2008)