Maintaining Optimism and Solidarity

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Colorful fireworks decorate the sky of Jakarta, enlivening New Year\'s Eve, including in the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle area, Jakarta, Monday (31/12/2018). The celebration of New Year\'s Eve was marked by rain from the afternoon.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - A wave of celebrations was held across the county to welcome the arrival of the New Year. Revelers also demonstrated empathy and solidarity with disaster survivors, and conveyed a message of maintaining optimism.

The year 2018 was full of social, political and economic challenges. Although political and economic turmoil is likely to continue, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo called on everyone to welcome 2019 with optimism.

The President made the call during New Year\'s celebrations at the Wisma Bayurini presidential office at the Bogor Palace on Monday. That night, the President held a dinner with members of the Presidential Security Guard and presidential office staff.

President Jokowi said no special celebrations had been arranged to welcome the New Year. "Yes… (the change of year) is like any other day, such as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Nothing special. The most important thing in 2019 is optimism, optimism, optimism," said President Jokowi as conveyed by his protocol and media deputy Bey Machmudin.

Earlier, President Jokowi wished everyone a happy new year while attending Christmas celebrations in Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday. During the event, the President reminded people to maintain the nation\'s three greatest assets, namely harmony, brotherhood and unity. The three assets, said the President, are a prerequisite for the future of a nation state.

The message to maintain optimism was also conveyed by Vice President Jusuf Kalla. "Happy New Year to all of us. Hopefully the New Year will give us new hope and will be better than previous years," he said.

Variety of Celebrations

The turn of the year was celebrated in a variety of ways across the country, although empathy and solidarity with victims of the recent Sunda Strait tsunami were also apparent during the celebrations.

At Taman Impian Jaya Ancol (Ancol Dreamland), North Jakarta, for example, a fireworks display titled "Jakarta Musical Fireworks" was held. During the party, a joint prayer, solidarity activities, including the announcement of donations from the management for the Sunda Strait tsunami survivors, were also held.

On Kuta Beach, Bali, New Year\'s celebrations were enlivened by fireworks and the Lolot Band, the Praise the Righteous God Choir of the Bali Police and well-known disc jockeys Nadia and Kiara.

On the occasion, Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Petrus Reinhard Golose appealed to all guests and communities in Kuta and throughout Bali to pray for people affected by disasters. "We can still have fun, but don\'t forget to pray for others," said Golose.

In Central Java, the Semarang administration inaugurated a dancing fountain on the bridge over the West Flood Canal, to coincide with the turn of the year. At the event, Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi appealed to everyone to remain united in facing the political year.

"Our choices may be different, but solidarity should be maintained," he said. A unique New Year\'s celebration was held on Jl. MH Thamrin, Jakarta, where a free mass wedding was held during which 557 couples tied the knot.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan expressed hope that mass marriages could become a new tradition. "I hope they become families that bring happiness not only to their homes but also to the community," he said.

A Betawi cultural performance was held in Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta. The Betawi cultural village also hosted gambus music, gambang keromong (traditional music ensemble), yellow sirih dance and lenong comedy performances.

"I hope this year will bring peace and make Indonesia more civilized and respectful of diversity," said Lenong Betawi actor Sabar Bokir. ( NTA/ COK/ DIT/ HRS/E16/ E21/ E20/ E19/ E05)