MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Medan Mayor Rico Waas has called on all segments of society to continue safeguarding the spirit of unity, solidarity, and diversity, emphasizing that these values are the strongest foundation for developing Medan into a safe, peaceful, and stable city. He delivered the message during an interfaith prayer commemorating the 80th Bhayangkara Day, held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Patriatama Hall of Medan Police Headquarters (Polrestabes Medan).
The event brought together representatives of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), religious leaders, community figures, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and numerous invited guests. Together, they offered prayers in gratitude and expressed hopes that security, public order, and peace in Medan would continue to be maintained.
In his remarks, Rico Waas stressed that Medan's cultural and religious diversity is one of the city's greatest strengths and must be preserved by every member of society. He noted that Medan has long been home to people of various ethnicities, cultures, and religious backgrounds who have lived together in harmony.
According to him, this diversity represents a valuable asset in building a modern, inclusive, and sustainable city. Therefore, every resident shares the responsibility of protecting social cohesion and strengthening mutual respect.
"The City of Medan belongs to no single group. Medan belongs to everyone, and everyone belongs to Medan. We must preserve this spirit of togetherness so that our city will always remain a shared home for all residents," Rico Waas said.
He emphasized that unity should not remain merely a slogan but must be reflected in everyday actions. He encouraged residents to promote tolerance, strengthen solidarity, and foster constructive dialogue among all communities to create a safe and comfortable environment.
Rico Waas also highlighted that regional development cannot rely solely on the government. Instead, it requires active public participation and close collaboration among government institutions, security forces, religious communities, community organizations, businesses, and young people to ensure long-term regional stability.
Collaboration Across Society Strengthens City Stability
Rico Waas praised the presence of representatives from Forkopimda, religious and community leaders, as well as TNI and Polri personnel, describing it as clear evidence of strong cooperation among government institutions and the wider community. Such collaboration, he said, is essential for maintaining stability while strengthening public trust in state institutions.
He further stressed that every government institution must deliver the highest standard of public service. Beyond providing quality public administration, all officials are expected to offer concrete solutions to the concerns and challenges faced by the community.
According to the mayor, the existing spirit of cooperation should continue to expand across every sector of development. By doing so, government programs can be implemented more effectively and provide even greater benefits for the people of Medan.
Rico Waas also extended his congratulations to the entire Indonesian National Police (Polri) on the occasion of the 80th Bhayangkara Day, expressing appreciation for the dedication of police officers in maintaining public security and order while supporting regional development.
In his view, the police play a strategic role in safeguarding public stability. Only under secure conditions can people carry out their daily activities without disruption. A stable security environment also serves as a key prerequisite for economic growth, investment, and the city's sustainable development.
Twin Anniversaries Expected to Inspire Medan's Progress
On the occasion, Rico Waas invited participants of the interfaith prayer to also pray for Medan, which will celebrate its 436th anniversary on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. He believes the coincidence of the 80th Bhayangkara Day and the city's anniversary presents a meaningful opportunity to strengthen optimism for Medan's future development.
He expressed hope that both milestones would bring blessings and encourage the entire community to remain actively involved in the city's development.
"No one can walk this path alone. The spirit of togetherness must always come first so that Medan remains safe, peaceful, productive, and blessed," he added.
Rico Waas also emphasized the importance of preserving the tradition of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) as an integral part of community life. Sustainable urban development, he said, can only be achieved when all residents take responsibility for their city and work together to build its future.
According to him, maintaining security and social harmony will positively impact many sectors, including economic growth, increased investment, education, and overall social welfare.
He therefore urged the public to strengthen unity, reinforce solidarity, and avoid any actions that could threaten peaceful coexistence within Medan's diverse society.
Polrestabes Medan Organizes Wide Range of Community Programs
Medan Police Chief Senior Commissioner Jean Calvijn Simanjuntak said the interfaith prayer formed part of the series of events commemorating the 80th Bhayangkara Day. The gathering served as an expression of gratitude while seeking God's protection so that police officers can continue carrying out their duties in maintaining public security and order.
Jean Calvijn noted that the joint prayer also reflected the growing spirit of brotherhood, tolerance, and unity within Medan's community. These values, he said, should continue to serve as the foundation for lasting security and stability.
In addition to the interfaith prayer, Polrestabes Medan has organized numerous social and community activities to mark the 80th Bhayangkara Day with direct public participation.
The programs include public health services, commemorative visits, e-sports tournaments, street musician competitions, and the distribution of free meals to residents. These initiatives demonstrate the police's commitment to remaining close to the community while strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the public.
According to Jean Calvijn, the theme "Polri for the Community" is far more than a ceremonial slogan for Bhayangkara Day. It represents a long-term commitment to delivering meaningful benefits through quality public services, community engagement, and social programs.
Through the entire series of events, Polrestabes Medan hopes to further strengthen harmonious cooperation between the police and the community. With the support of all sectors of society, security and public order in Medan are expected to remain well maintained, enabling the city to continue developing into a modern, inclusive, and prosperous metropolis. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala