Jakarta-wapresri.go.id Vice President Jusuf Kalla received the Chairman of Minang Economic and Cultural Movement (Gebu Minang) for the period of 2011-2016 Dt.Tanmaliputi Ermansyah Jamin at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (Dec. 21).
On that occasion, Ermansyah invited the Vice President to attend the the 6th congress of Minang Gebu that will be in line with the 27th anniversary of the organization, which will be held on December 23 to 25, 2016 in Padang, West Sumatra.
Responding to the invitation, Vice President regretted as he would not be able to attend the event as he already had another agenda at the same time.
The Vice President then gave an advice that Minang Gebu will keep existing so long as it has the spirit to develop.
“In my opinion, Minang people always have the spirit to develop economy and scholarly ideas,” said the Vice President.
However, the Vice President lamented that Minang people’s religious fervor began to decline.
“In the past, Minang people used to go to the mosque to recite Koran and get together. Now, they do not do this anymore as they are busy watching TV at home,” said the Vice President.
To that end, the Vice President urged, there should be a gathering of youths to make them able to share and think about the future of Minang.
The Vice President also asked the Minang people not feel contented of their past glories, but rather think how to achieve progress in the future.
“(It’s) like the Makassar who are always talking about the greatness of Pinisi Ship. People are already talking about satellites, but they are still talking about Pinisi. If you want to advance, promote the mosque, promote the school,” the Vice President affirmed.
The Vice President then advised that in the coming congress, there should a room for young generations of Minang to speak based on their respective fields and expertise. (KIP, Setwapres)
