REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - House of Representatives speaker Marzuki Alie said that the new government must address education and health issues, which were not equitable for all Indonesian people.
"The short remaining tenure of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono makes the issues such as education and health services homework for the next president. These services are not easily accessible to people, and also food, clothing, and security are essential," Marzuki Alie said on Monday.
According to him, the new government must maintain the integrity of this nation and the pluralism.
"Our hope is to maintain the integrity of this nation and the pluralism. Minority communities should not be harmed, which according to me is most important," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Alie pointed out that the implementation of the 2014 presidential elections during Ramadhan had made the condition conducive and peaceful.
"I am thankful that the implementation of the elections during Ramadhan ran peacefully. The supporters of two camps were head to head during the election. However, Ramadhan has reversed the daily habits of people and be disciplined," he emphasized.
Alie said thet that since becoming a speaker, he had celebrated the first day of Idul Fitri in Jakarta, then the next day he had returned to his native village.
"Since becoming speaker, I have celebrated the first day of Idul Fitri in Jakarta, whereas before becoming speaker, I had always done 'sungkem 'to my parents after Eid prayer," he added.
Sungkem is a gesture to show respect and humility to somebody by kneeling down in front of them and pressing the nose to their knee. While doing this, the kneeling person asks for forgiveness for any past transgressions. The tradition is popular in Javanese culture.
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