SBY inaugurates World Peace Gong in Kupang

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated a World Peace Gong on Tuesday in the East Nusa Tenggara Capital of Kupang as a symbol of world peace, while other parts of the country suffer from turmoil due to recent religious-based clashes.

Kupang was selected for the location of the new gong by a UN peace body, tempointeraktif.com reported.

The President punctuated the inauguration ceremony by ringing the gong three times, witnessed by East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya, Kupang Mayor Daniel Adoe and thousands of Kupang residents.

Daniel said the peace gong was part of UN peacekeeping programs, and similar gongs had been built previously in Yogyakarta and Ambon.

The President inaugurated the Kupang gong upon arriving at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, after a flight from Jakarta.

He is scheduled to spend a few days in the city and attend the commemoration of National Press Day, among others events.