This appeal was made during an audience with 28 FPK Provincial Board Members, 12 FPK Padang City Board Members, and 17 students from various ethnic groups at the Special Meeting Room I of the West Sumatra Regional Parliament on Wednesday (15/1/2025).
Padang, sumbarsatu.com – The Chairman of the West Sumatra Regional Parliament, Drs. H. Muhidi, MM, has called on the local government to provide full support to the Forum for National Integration (FPK) as a vital platform for fostering national unity.
This appeal was made during an audience with 28 FPK Provincial Board Members, 12 FPK Padang City Board Members, and 17 students from various ethnic groups at the Special Meeting Room I of the West Sumatra Regional Parliament on Wednesday (15/1/2025).
The meeting was a historic moment, attended by ethnic leaders from diverse backgrounds, including Javanese, Batak, Acehnese, Riau Malay, Minangkabau, Chinese, and Papuan communities. Nearly 70 participants, adorned in traditional batik, created a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The Chairman of FPK West Sumatra, Dr. Otong Rosadi, SH, M.Hum, explained in his opening remarks that FPK was established under Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 34 of 2006 as a forum for communication, interaction, and cooperation among communities from various ethnic backgrounds.
“Through FPK, we can maintain and develop harmony among ethnic groups while preserving their cultural identities. FPK is expected to act as a bridge for national integration through activities in the fields of culture, education, and economy,” Otong stated.
The Chairman of the Regional Parliament, Muhidi, expressed his appreciation for FPK's role in strengthening diversity. “This audience serves as an important platform for building relationships and understanding, especially with the presence of students as the future generation of the nation,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of nurturing future leaders, quoting Quran Surah An-Nisa verse 9 about the obligation to prepare a better generation.
Muhidi urged FPK and ethnic organizations to plan well-structured programs for the 2026 budget proposal and encouraged the local government to provide greater support through facilities and funding managed by the National Unity and Political Agency (Kesbangpol).
During the dialogue, participants proposed several initiatives, including; Socializing national integration to various groups; Establishing an Ethnic Information Center in Padang City; Introducing the Integration Award to recognize individuals contributing to harmony; Developing the Harmoni Minangkabau application; and Launching the Bacarito Hikayat Nusantara program.
The event, which began at 9:00 AM, concluded with the presentation of the book Lekanis (Nias Traditional Institution) Padang to the Chairman of the Regional Parliament and a group photo on the stairs of the Main Meeting Room of the West Sumatra Regional Parliament. SSC/MN