TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Balinese traditional security guards, locally known as pecalang, are participating in securing the 2023 Christmas celebrations in Denpasar City, Bali Province.

The Banjar Abasan pecalang in Pakraman Village are helping the police in securing Christmas celebrations and services at Maranatha Church, East Denpasar Sub-district, including managing traffic from and to the church.

"I deployed 14 pecalang members to secure and manage traffic," Head of Banjar Abasan pecalang I Nyoman Gede Astana stated on Monday.

He affirmed that every year, the Banjar Abasan pecalang participate in securing Christmas celebrations and services at Maranatha Church, located near the Point Zero of Denpasar City.

Astana, speaking for the pecalang he has led for eight years, emphasized their long-standing commitment to protecting other religious communities.

"Every year, from generation to generation, we are there (to support) because this is our area, as (a form of) attention from banjar (traditional society). We are involved in securing Christmas Eve too," he said.

A member of the youth organization committee of the Maranatha Church, Rico Meidi Christian, shared that the congregation felt helped by pecalang's presence.

"We are really helped. The hope is that even though we have different beliefs, we can still work hand in hand to unite Bali," he said.

He praised pecalang's efforts to help in securing Christmas celebrations and services, saying that they reflect the good interfaith tolerance in Bali.

For the 2023 Christmas, pecalang are helping the police in securing 120 churches in Denpasar City.

ANTARA

Editor's Choice: Christmas: Around 860,106 Vehicles Left Greater Jakarta on December 18 to 22, Says Jasa Marga

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News