REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Chinese Indonesians celebrated the "Cap Go Meh" celebration to mark the 15th day after the Chinese New Year here on Friday evening. The event was attended by  President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, flanked by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono and a number of cabinet ministers. 

This was the seventh time President Yudhoyono attended the celebration during his presidency. This years event carried the theme "Indonesia One Indonesia Glorious."

Organizing Committee chairman Murdaya Po began his speech by expressing his sympathies with fellow citizens now suffering due to natural disasters in regions throughout the country. As part of the nation, he said, the Chinese community in Indonesia shared their suffering.

He added that it was undeniable that the Chinese community was one of the national groups that had, from the beginning, also taken part in establishing the country. Some community members have also participated in the fight against colonialists, in the Youth Pledge, in the BPUPKI (committee preparing the countrys independence), and also in the fight to preserve the country's independence and become heroes.

"So it is correct if we are, indeed, real Indonesians," he said.

Po said the committee had deliberately adopted the theme, with the aim of building brotherhood, friendship, unity, cohesiveness and mutual cooperation for the glory of the nation and state.

Minister of Education and Culture M Nuh, meanwhile, said in his speech that Indonesia was a pluralistic nation and called for eradication of elements seeking to change its character. He noted that the former colonial regime tried to defeat the nation by eliminating the plurality through segregation of ethnicity, race, religion and tribe.

President Yudhoyono said in his speech that he expressed his appreciation for the adoption of the theme, calling it a correct theme for building nationhood and Indonesia's future.

"I am glad about the motto. If the Indonesian people are friendly to each other and work hard, Indonesia will become a glorious country," he said. 

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