AHY: Chinese Community Plays Important Role in National Development

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development (IPK) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said the Chinese community has a significant role in nation-building.

"The Chinese community has a significant role and contribution to national development," he said during a working visit agenda and commemorating Chinese New Year 2557/2026 in Riau, Batam, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 17.

On this occasion, he conveyed that the Chinese community had developed many businesses and opened employment opportunities, ranging from the industrial sector, manufacturing, to technology which was the basic strength of the city of Batam.

AHY hopes that Batam can continue its transformation in accordance with its original purpose and design, namely to become an economic gateway to the Southeast Asian region, even the world economy.

In the midst of global uncertainty, he also hopes that Batam can grow, progress, modernize, and remain rooted in its distinctive identity and character, namely a peaceful and harmonious city. This is because Batam is one of the cities that is rich in diversity of tribes, religions, races, ethnicities, and cultures, but is still able to maintain harmony, diversity, and social harmony.

"It happens that this year is the year of the fire horse (referring to the Chinese New Year). If we interpret it, the horse represents hard work, courage, and of course energy, while fire always symbolizes the burning spirit and of course there is also the meaning of transformation, leap for leap," said AHY.

"Hopefully with the philosophy and spirit of the fire horse, we can all be given the energy, high spirits to continue our work according to our respective professions. This year, hopefully we will all be more successful financially, business, and also in our home life and in our community life, nation, and state," he said.