Muhaimin Iskandar Affirms PKB To Become A National House

Photo with PKB General Chair Muhaimin Iskandar with the biku at the celebration of Trisuci Vesak Day for Buddhists at the parliament complex, Jakarta, Saturday (20/5/2023). BETWEEN/Fauzi Lamboka

JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar emphasized that his party is a national home for all Indonesian people.

"PKB houses are national, all religions can fight in PKB. All religious leaders exist, ranging from ulama, kiai, monks, to priests, all joining PKB," he said after the celebration of Trisuci Day Vesak Buddhists at the parliament complex, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 20.

He explained that the activity was a historic national Vesak commemoration because for the first time in the history of Buddhism in Indonesia, Buddhists could celebrate Vesak in the Nusantara V Plenary Room at the DPR/MPR/DPD RI building.

"We hope that with the spirit of Vesak it becomes a religious force to maintain diversity, make the spirit of humanity, peace, and happiness," he said.

The celebration of the activity, he said, was proof that PKB was home to Buddhists and other religious communities. PKB is a national home for all the nation's children without discriminating.

"In fact, when he was president, for the first time Gus Dur appointed the best Buddhist son at that time Pak Kwik Kian Gie as minister," he said.

Muhaimin and PKB cadres always place the ulama, including Buddhist scholars as teachers, who are always asked for directions, to become a moral foundation for them and PKB.

"The inner vicinity of PKB with Buddhists that we have always maintained, one example is Daniel Johan. Although currently Daniel at PKB is rare, PKB has placed Daniel as one of the core administrators in the PKB DPP," he explained.

Muhaimin explained that during the activity Mahabiku Ashin, Indonesia's first biku since Majapahit, which was very close to Gus Dur, was the temperature of Arya Maitri.

"I and Gus Dur had the opportunity to attend together to attend Vesak at Vihara Lodan," he said.

The senior biku of Suhu Dutuwira was also present. In addition to being close to Gus Dur, he also always accompanied and provided moral advice to PKB so that PKB would always be the main force that maintains unity and diversity.