Riau Regional Secretary Reminds Harkitnas History To Face Pandemic Turmoil

Murals in Indonesia to encourage others to face the COVID-19 pandemic. (Between)

RIAU - Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Riau Province, SF Hariyanto, said Boedi Oetomo's spirit is still relevant for the context of today's national life, especially Riau is still facing the COVID-19 pandemic and rising again.

This was conveyed by Hariyanto when he was the inspector of the flag ceremony in commemoration of the 114th National Awakening Day (Harkitnas) 2022, in the courtyard of the Riau Governor's office, Pekanbaru, quoted from Antara, Friday, May 20.

"In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the Ukraine-Russia conflict which has caused global economic conditions and geopolitics to become unstable, so we should interpret national awakening as a collective effort of the nation to strengthen national unity," he said.

He said that on May 20, 1948, President Soekarno set the birthday of the Boedi Oetomo association as the Day of the Rise of Indonesian Nationalism. At that time, there was a threat of division between groups and ideologies in the midst of Indonesia's struggle to maintain independence from the Dutch who wanted to return to power.

The spirit of unity initiated by Boedi Oetomo, he said, is expected to be a spirit in gathering strength and preventing national divisions.

"The purpose of the establishment of Boedi Oetomo which was sparked in its first congress is to guarantee life as a respectable nation with a focus on movements in the fields of education, teaching, and culture," he said.

Boedi Oetomo has laid down three ideals for national awakening, namely liberating the ideals of humanity, advancing the homeland and nation, and realizing a nation's life that is honorable and dignified in the eyes of the world.

The Regional Secretary said that the commemoration and history of Harkitnas should not only be interpreted as ceremonial. But also, he said, it can be a spirit to deal with economic turmoil in the midst of a pandemic to endemic transition.

"To understand the historical essence of the National Awakening, let's take a moment to examine the historical side behind the commemoration of the National Awakening Day by hoping for an increase in economic achievements in this area," he said.

Achievements from the production side in Riau as released by BPS, he said, showed that three business fields experienced high growth, namely the transportation and warehousing sector, which recorded 15.79 percent. Other services sector 8.29 percent. Information and communication sector 7.14 percent.

"Therefore, let us continue to work hard and synergize to maintain, maintain and improve the economy of Riau and Indonesia," said Hariyanto.