Promoting Unity and Equality in Jakarta, Anies Inaugurates GKI Puri Indah

Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan inaugurated Puri Indah Indonesian Christian Church Building at Taman Permata Buana, West Jakarta, on Saturday (11/6). In inauguration ceremony which was held offline and online, Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan gave his appreciation to all parties who had played their roles in establishing the church.

Jakarta is the node or meeting point of all elements in this nation

"Praise to God Almighty who has given us good health and convenience, so that today, we can witness the presence of an effort to maintain faith and piety in Jakarta. I congratulate all parties who work. In front of the podium, there are one or two people giving greetings, but behind them there are hundreds to thousands people working for building this church. We are at GKI today carrying message to all places that today there will be spreader of peace and serenity for Jakarta and Indonesia," he mentioned as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release.

He said that Jakarta is the node or meeting point of all elements in this nation. Some time ago, he added, this nation commemorated Youth Pledge which was an event on journey to become Indonesia, where there was a big agreement that made us union called Indonesia, with goal to achieve true independence marked by presence of social justice for all Indonesian people.

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"Indonesian nation is not a mixture of various elements, but a compound. It means all existing elements interact towards new element, and the unity agreed upon by Indonesia is not a unity of origin but unity of purpose. Why we are united? Because we want to achieve true independence which is marked by presence of social justice for all Indonesian people, which makes us feel equality in it," he stated.

In his remarks, he also explained that the Jakarta Government has always been committed to striving for justice and equality, including equality to obtain the right to worship in peace and comfort.

"So, when we look at bhinneka tunggal ika, Bhinneka is a gift from God, while menunggal is our endeavor and what is happening in this place is to show the unity of Indonesia, where we feel equality, togetherness and it should be continued since we all have the desire to maintain. And, I need to convey that the sense of unity must be maintained by providing justice, equality, and similarity in opportunity and that is our (provincial) commitment in Jakarta," he explained.

In addition, he also appreciated GKI Puri Indah for thinking about eco-friendly building concept, as well as providing benefits to the surrounding area, such as providing underground reservoir that is useful in case of inundation occurs in the area.

“As a church that was inaugurated in 2021, we advise you to look at it in a long perspective, thus it can make our children and grandchildren say that the generations before us have thought about environmentally friendly future building concept, so we appreciate that the church has fulfilled it. Moreover, this church also has benefits for the environment, when disaster occurs, this church can be present to provide a role," he said.

GKI Puri Indah was built on social and public facilities land that has been leased from Jakarta Government since September 2014, with the lease term being extended until September 2024 through Jakarta Governor Decree signed by Governor Anies on April 9, 2019.

While Building Permit (IMB) for GKI Puri Indah was issued on May 26, 2017 and GKI Puri Indah Building has obtained Certificate of Feasibility (SLF) on January 7, 2021.