GOT Marga Sidabutar, Erick Thohir: Diversity Becomes Indonesia's Power

SOE Minister Erick Thohir (Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir received a gift, namely being appointed as a child by the Batak ethnic group in the traditional Mangain Anak and Mangalahat Horbo ceremonies in Samosir, North Sumatra.

Now, the former Inter Milan President is officially the son of Tomok from Samosir under the name Erick Thohir Sidabutar.

"It is an honor for me to be appointed son of the Harry Boss Sidabutar extended family to be part of Bangso Batak. I hope that this ties of brotherhood, as conveyed by Opung Adian Napitupulu, and My Tulang, Tulang Mustar Manurung, brotherhood is not a time of pleasure. But also during times of trouble," Erick said in an official statement, Sunday, November 27.

The procession for the Batak clan coincided with the Tao Toba Heritage Festival at the Lopo Samosir Hotel.

This festival was held to invite residents to explore Lake Toba (Tao Toba) in one day full of Cultural Experience, Music Festival, MSME Booth, and Fun Ride & Visit Toba Heritage.

Erick also invited all components of the nation to make the difference in ethnicity, culture, and geographical location spread across more than 17,000 islands as a force.

"Never ask who we are. Because we are a mixture of various ethnic groups in Indonesia. But what we must ask is, what has been done for our nation," he said.

"We have to make this diversity a power. Don't always be a question, which continues to be questioned when we want conflict to occur," he continued.

On that occasion, Erick invited the Samosir residents to remind them of the fate of big countries that must be divided because they are unable to strengthen the unity of their diversity.

One example is the levy which is now divided into several Balkan countries.

"For example, look at my son. His president, Josip Broz Tito, is the friend of our First President, President Soekarno. As a result of many encouragements, it was finally divided into various countries. It was the same with Syria whose countries were divided. It was not profitable," said Erick.

As a strong and united country, said Erick, Indonesia has bright potential because it already has important economic capital. However, this potential will be disrupted if Indonesia falls into a split that can suppress the acceleration of economic growth.

"It is impossible for the economy to grow if Indonesia is in turmoil. In this case, economic growth creates jobs. This is what we must protect," he said.