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Merry Christmas, Happy New Year: Jokowi sends out wishes from Sulawesi
President Jokowi asked everyone to nurture national unity, harmony and fraternity as wished the people of Indonesia a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo greets journalists and residents during his visit to Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, to attend Christmas celebrations and a cultural festival. (JP/Marguerite Afra Sapiie)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has sent Christmas and new year greetings to the country while visiting Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi.
The President on Sunday urged the people to maintain unity and harmony as the nation’s greatest assets.
“I ask everyone to nurture unity, harmony and our fraternity. We are all brothers and sisters of one nation and motherland. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year 2019! Hopefully, the Christmas celebration this year brings peace to the hearts of Christians. May peace remain in Tana Toraja, may peace remain in South Sulawesi, may peace remain in our country, Indonesia,” he said.
Jokowi also expressed his condolence towards Sunda Strait tsunami victims and families, saying that he had demanded officials to act fast in helping residents and victims.
Jokowi met prominent religious figures at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Makale and attended Lovely December, an annual cultural festival listed among the Tourism Ministry’s 100 Wonderful Events Indonesia 2018.
The meeting at the church was also attended by high-ranking officials, including Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko and presidential special staff coordinator Teten Masduki.
Jokowi, who was wearing the traditional white attire of Tana Toraja, and his entourage were immediately greeted by a couple of priests in the churchyard.
The President also attended the Oikumene Tana Toraja Christmas Celebration in Bundaran Kolam Makale, where he was greeted by residents who rushed to shake hands and take selfies with him. (spl)
