BelitongToday, Tanjungpandan – The wife of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid, handed over assistance to residents in Air Merbau Village, Tanjungpandan, Belitung, Friday (5/26) afternoon.
Sinta Nuriyah symbolically handed over the aid from TM-70 alumni of Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and Sekar Melati Association. Also present was Poernomo Yusgiantoro, former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. He is also an alumnus of Petroleum Engineering ITB.
TM-70 is an alumni association of ITB Petroleum Engineering undergraduates in 1970.
Meanwhile, Paguyuban Sekar Melati is the wives of former ministers. And also executive officials of the National Unity Cabinet during the era of President Gus Dur (1999-2001).
Sinta Nuriyah Wahid said that she did not expect to meet directly with the people of Air Merbau Village.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this meeting was unexpected before I come to Belitung,” she said.
She explained that it was actually not the first time she had come to Belitung.
This visit is her second visit to Belitung Regency.
“This is my second time to Belitung, previously I had also been to Bangka,” she explained.
Often Meet the Poor and Marginalized
Shinta stated, during her time accompanying Gus Dur as President. She often carried out iftar activities with the poor and marginalized.
“What I have done since accompanying Gus Dur at the State Palace when he was President was often do sahur and breaking the fast with the marginalized,” she added.
She added that such activities are also often carried out in various regions in Indonesia.
“I carry out this activity to remote areas throughout Indonesia. I invite all components of the nation to do sahur together,” she explained.
During the meeting, the wife of the late Gus Dur also asked about the tribes in Belitung.
Shinta’s question was immediately answered by the Belitung Regent, Sahani Saleh. He stated that all ethnic groups in Indonesia exist and inhabit Belitung Island.
“I am happy that all tribes exist in Belitung, the tolerance in Belitung is good,” she said.
According to her, this is inseparable from the fact that the Indonesian nation consists of various ethnic groups and religions.
“We are one people, one nation, and one language,” she remarked. (Nazriel)
