Commemorating BLA, Bandung Youth Must Be More Sensitive to Social Issues
Carrying the theme "Building a Spirit of Togetherness in Bonding Unity and Oneness", the commemoration of the Bandung Lautan Api (BLA) incident took place solemnly at Bandung City Hall, Friday 24 March 2023
When met after the ceremony, the Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana, said that when the BLA took place, the predecessors were more willing to burn their houses and burn their city to the ground, rather than be used by the enemy to re-colonize.
"Bandung was on fire. About 200,000 buildings were burned down, while residents retreated and fled to the mountains south of the city," said Yana.
He also asked that the people of Bandung City need to emulate the spirit of the fighters at the BLA incident in 1946.
"In the past, they sacrificed to defend their city. So now it's our duty to build this city better," he said.
Especially in this post-pandemic period, Yana hopes that the community can work together to solve various problems and regenerate the economy in the city of Bandung.
"Together we can finish the pandemic. Hopefully, together we can carry out the process of post-Covid-19 economic growth. Never give up and continue to be passionate about building cities," he hoped.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Bandung City National Committee for Indonesian Youth (KNPI), Edwin Gaddafi said, through the BLA incident, young people should be able to solve problems in the city of Bandung.
"Hopefully this event is not only ceremonial, but presents this spirit. Young people must be more sensitive to existing social problems," explained Edwin.
He explained that in the past, Mohammad Toha was able to fight like that because of his sensitivity to the problems at that time, namely seizing the city of Bandung from the allies and NICA.
"Currently young people have to increase their sensitivity, what are the problems in the city of Bandung. Apart from that, they also have to become problem solvers to present solutions to these problems," he said.
For now, according to Edwin, one of the problems that has become the focus of Bandung City youth is economic issues.
"How can economic recovery be optimized. Then how to overcome the problems of unemployment, traffic jams and the environment in the city of Bandung we also need to solve together," he added.
On this occasion, the Bandung City Government together with the Concerned Chinese Community also gave appreciation and basic food assistance to a number of veteran heroes in the City of Bandung. (din)**
Head of the Bandung City Communication and Informatics Agency
Yayan A. Brilyana
