Bogor, West Java - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on the people to continue creating and maintaining religious harmony among religious adherents without questioning their differences.
"The people of West Java and of Indonesia in general, must create harmonious life, maintain peace, mutual respect, tolerance and care. We have to continue to build all this," the president said when attending the anniversary celebration of Chinese Philosopher Confucius here on Sunday.
He said that: "Our choice is to create justice and to adopt non-discriminatory policies for this nation. So, let us implement them."
The president acknowledged that certain communities in the country still faced problems in pursuing peaceful life in a number of regions.
"I herewith instruct all state officials to uphold and carry out regulations fairly without discrimination. Regulations and legislations should be implemented well without discrimination in line with the 1945 Constitution," the president added.
According to the president, the concept of Indonesian nation recognized diversity so that all citizens had the same obligation and rights and might not be treated differently.
Previously, Chairman of the Indonesian Confucian Council (Matakin), Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo in his address said that Confucian community still faced many constraints in carrying out their religious performance in a number of regions.
He said that they also still faced problems to have their identity cards with Confusion religion.
"But at present things have turned better. There is now a plan to build a worship house within the complex of the Indonesia Miniature-Park (TMII), and I have reported to the minister of home affairs on how to get IDs easily," he said.
Deputy Governor of West Java, Dede Jusuf, who was also present at the moment expressed hope that the anniversary celebration would help promote religious harmonious life and mutual respects among religious adherents in Indonesia.
Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni and Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa also attended the function.
Source: http://www.antaranews.com (October 12, 2008)