Lunar New Year Celebrated Pezcefully Across Indonesia

Bogor, W Java (Antara) - Millions of Chinese-Indonesians across the country celebrated Lunar New Year peacefully, and prominent Chinese figure Jaya Suprana lauded the strength of inter-religious harmony at the Imlek Semawis Market in Semarang, Central Java.

However, the display of firecrackers for celebrating the eve of Chinese New Year in the West Kalimantan city of Pontianak on Friday evening had resulted in a shophouse getting damaged after a fire engulfed it.

The Imlek Semawis Market, located in the China town area, is a good example of tolerance among inter-religious groups in Semarang, Suprana stated on Saturday.

"I am so impressed with this market. People from different faiths, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds gather at the market. Thus, I do not see any crisis in terms of unity in diversity and intolerance at all," he said.

The Imlek Semawis Market, which has been part of Semarang City's calendar of events, was opened by Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi on Tuesday evening.

Suprana, founder of the Indonesian Museum of Records, believed that other such markets also need to be opened in other provinces to promote the nation's unity in diversity .

Meanwhile, the Tangerang Metro Police have deployed 255 personnel to secure 21 Buddhist temples that are visited by worshipers from morning to evening during the Lunar New Year celebration.

Chief of the Tangerang Metro Police's operational unit Adjunct Senior Commissioner Budi Asrul Kurniawan said his men also worked with the local army personnel to secure big temples, including Vihara Boen San Bio and Boen Tek Bio.

Tangerang's Deputy Mayor Sachrudin encouraged other religious adherents to help maintain harmony and security during the Lunar New Year celebration.

From Jambi, the capital city of Jambi Province in Sumatra Island, the celebration of Chinese New Year was marked by the presence of a few hundred red lamps at the Jambi city hall area.

Firmansyah, a 40-year-old Jambi resident, said he enjoyed how the presence of the lanterns lent a different ambience to the city.

Chinese-Indonesians belong to a minority group in the country. A survey conducted by the United Overseas Bank Indonesia recently released showed that Chinese-Indonesians spent Rp10.7 million on an average to celebrate Lunar New Year.(*)