In his National Dharmasanti Vesak Day speech at the world's largest Budhist temple Borobudur in Magelang regency, Kalla said that amid the serious problems the world was facing, it was important that every citizen  must work to preserve love and harmony between all the religions in Indonesia.

"The world is facing many conflicts, economic issues and other things. Therefore we must increase unity, no matter what your religion is. Unity is key for the country's development," Kalla said in his speech on Saturday evening as quoted by kompas.com.

  As a sacred place for Budhists, but with people from various backgrounds helping to maintain it, Borobudur Temple reflects Indonesia's unity,  he added.

"We are here among people of various religions that do a very good job of maintaining Borobudur Temple. That is the big Indonesia, [a country] whose people respect one another," Kalla said.

People from all walks of life have the same responsibility to contribute to Indonesia's welfare and justice, he added.

Kalla attended the event along with Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Yuddy Chrisnandi, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and  chairwoman of The Indonesian Buddhists Association (Walubi) Siti Hartati Murdaya, representatives of foreign countries and thousands of Buddhists from different parts of Indonesia. 

The event was closed with thousands of paper lanterns released from the temple. (rin) 

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