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Cross of Love monument being built along the border with PNG in Merauke
Waspada Setia Jaya/432 infantry battalion is building a Salib Kasih (Cross of Love) monument in an area bordering Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in Sota district, Merauke, Papua, with the aim of promoting love for and solidarity with the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia
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W
aspada Setia Jaya/432 infantry battalion is building a Salib Kasih (Cross of Love) monument in an area bordering Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in Sota district, Merauke, Papua, with the aim of promoting love for and solidarity with the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Battalion commander Maj. Aji Mimbarno said in a statement made available to Antara news agency in Jayapura Monday, "[We do this] through a religious approach because Merauke is a peaceful area blessed by God."
The battalion, which is currently tasked with maintaining security along the Indonesia-PNG border, was inspired by the Zero Kilometer Monument in Sabang, Aceh, in developing the new project.
"We decided to adopt the Aceh monument in Merauke to respect local wisdom with its characteristics in Merauke, where the majority of people are Christian," Aji said.
He explained that he wanted to build a monument with a Christian theme, in the way that the Zero Kilometer monument in Sabang, which has a Mecca corridor, has an Islamic theme.
He claims the two monuments are landmarks of the westernmost and easternmost parts of Indonesia.
Aji further explained that the Cross of Love monument was being built mainly by Muslim soldiers.
He also said that the monument was dedicated to the Merauke people to signify that the religious, tribal and race values could work hand in hand and be united in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
He added that the monument could become a major attraction in the future. (yln)
