Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated a monument called "Gong Perdamaian" (peace gong) at Nostalgic Park here Tuesday.

The head of state, who was accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, also dedicated a smart house and planted trees.

Kupang Mayor Daniel Adoe said the monument was expected to help strengthen messages of peace, pluralism, and tolerance.

The 500 m2 peace gong monument is located in the 6-hectare Nostalgic Park.

The president was accompanied by East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Frans Lebu Raya and Communication and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring.

The president and the first lady also planted sandalwood trees at the location.

Among ministers present at the event were People`s Welfare Minister Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Admiral Agus Suhartono, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Aljufrie, and National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh.

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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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