D

espite an offer from the Jakarta administration to hold and even assume expenses for a Christmas celebration at the National Monument (Monas) square, the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) in Jakarta has decided to hold an indoor event instead.

“We appreciate the offer, however, instead of Monas [square], we would prefer an indoor venue such as JIExpo or Mega Glodok Kemayoran [both in Central Jakarta],” chairman of PGI Jakarta Manuel Raintung told a press conference on Friday at Graha Oikumene, Salemba, in Central Jakarta.

Earlier this month, Governor Anies Baswedan announced plans to organize a joint Christmas celebration at Monas square.

On Thursday night, Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno stated that the administration was even willing to pay for the event.

“This [Christmas celebration] is our idea, we will cover the expenses,” Sandiaga said, without elaborating further on where the budget would come from.

“It depends on the organizer’s preparations. We expect the participation [of sponsors], but with or without a sponsor, the administration will make sure the event is a success,” he said.

PGI spokesperson Jerry Sumampouw said even though PGI would not participate in the Christmas celebration at Monas square, PGI would still invite the Jakarta governor to attend the PGI Christmas celebration sometime in January.

“I haven’t received any information about the exact date and location yet, but we will invite them [Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno] to the event regardless.” he said.

Anies and Sandiaga won in April in the most divisive gubernatorial election the capital has ever witnessed.

Considering the fact that religious and racial issues were heavily exploited during the election, many are unconvinced that the Christmas celebration at Monas square is a sincere offer.

One of PGI’s executives, Albertus Patty, said he was afraid there were political motives behind the offer

A Kelapa Gading resident, Vincent Fabian Thomas, 22, stated he was suspicious of Anies’ offer.

“I’m not surprised by PGI’s decision, because I suspect they [Jakarta leaders] made this move to cover up their mistakes during the [gubernatorial] election,” he said.

Separately, head of public service and equipment at the Jakarta General Affairs Agency, Febriana Tambunan, said the administration would proceed with its plan to hold a Christmas celebration at Monas square, which they expected would draw 12,000 people.

“We respect PGI’s decision but we would love them to join. The governor wants to celebrate Christmas with Jakarta’s people,” she said.

The administration plans to hold the event on Jan. 5 next year. However, the date was rescheduled on the grounds that it was too close to the long holidays.

Febriana said the administration would form a committee shortly to organize the celebration. City secretary Saefullah was previously mentioned as a possible candidate to lead the organizing committee.

She said the administration would team up with the city’s Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) and involve people of different faiths to attend the event.

“It’s open for members of the public and it’s not going to be glamorous. We’ll make it simple and we won’t spend much money because all the facilities are already available,” she said. (dpk)