SANGATTA — His Majesty Prof. Dr. M.S.P.A. Iansyah Rechza, F.W., Ph.D., Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman, who serves as the Supreme Sovereign of the Nusantara Kingdoms and a Founding Board Member of the Indonesian Customary Council (MAI), attended and delivered a national message at the gathering event with the Toraja Family Association (IKT) Sub-Tondon Harmony Community in Sangatta, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan.
The event was also combined with the 2025 Christmas Celebration and 2026 New Year Thanksgiving of the Tondon Harmony Community–Sangatta, held at the Sangatta Ecumenical Church, with the theme “God is Present to Save the Family” and sub-theme “Light of Love Reaches the Family”.
The event chairman, His Highness Prince Adipati Dr. (H.C.) Matius Padondan, S.Th., M.Pd., who is also Deputy Chair of the Tondon Harmony Community, expressed gratitude and pride for the presence of the Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman.
“The presence of His Majesty the Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman is a great honor and blessing for the Tondon Harmony Community. This bestowal of love and appreciation symbolizes unity, service with love, and the strengthening of customary and national values,” he stated.
Markus Katemba, Chair of the Tondon Harmony Community and also a pillar of the Toraja Family Association in East Kutai Regency, conveyed a similar sentiment. He considered the Maharaja’s presence to bring messages of peace, brotherhood, and the spirit of love across religions and cultures.
“We are grateful and pray that His Majesty will always be granted health, strength, and broad opportunities to work for the nation and state,” he said.
The Christmas and New Year Thanksgiving service was led and strengthened by Rev. Foa Gea, S.Th., Pastor of the Sangatta Ecumenical Church Post, who provided spiritual and moral encouragement to all congregants and the extended family of the Tondon Harmony Community.
Award and Love Grant Presentations
On this occasion, His Majesty the Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman presented awards to religious institutions as an appreciation for their role in fostering faith, social work, and support for the 2045 Golden Indonesia Vision. The recipients are:
1. New Sangatta Ecumenical Church
2. GPDI Gerbang Indah Church Sangatta, East Kutai
3. Indonesian Friends Church (GSI) Sangatta
4. Pentecostal Church Sangatta, East Kutai
5. Catholic Church of St. Theresia Parish
6. Toraja Church Elim Congregation East Kutai
7. Ustadz Muslimin, an Islamic religious figure for his interfaith role and national contribution
In addition, love grants were awarded to religious leaders, community figures, educators, and harmony administrators deemed to have contributed to humanitarian, social, and cultural activities, including:
Rev. Foa Gea, S.Th.; Dr. Yusuf T. Silambi, MM., MBA.; Piter Buyang, S.Pi., M.Si.; Markus Katemba; Yohanes Masarrang; Silas Sumule; Paulus Pabita; Mahta Batam; Hendrik Lamba Pabita, S.H.; Yusuf Rante Pasang, S.Pd.; Serti Tanoli Rur, S.E.; Rev. Daniel Masarrang, S.Th.; Alfrida Bungin, S.Pak.; His Highness Prince Adipati Dr. (H.C.) Matius Padondan, S.Th., M.Pd.; Her Highness Princess Dr. (H.C.) Nani Uminarti, S.Th., M.Si.; and Yulianus Stepanus.
Appreciation for Nusantara Cultural and Youth Figures
His Majesty the Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman also presented awards to Nusantara cultural community figures and young cultural enthusiasts, including:
Yulianus Massora; Yusuf Rante Pasang, S.Pd.; Yusak Ramli; Anis Kombong; Yosua Pangalo; Tabita Rante; Marni Pabita, S.P.; Dian Indrawati RK Padondan; Hendra Prayoga; Anamaya RKP; Ruth Pabita; Elda Vetra Sirenden Massora; Duan Sri Agusto; and Zakariya Rante Kombong Padondan.
The awards were given for their dedication to preserving Nusantara culture, social concern, and active role in building national unity.
In a separate but related session, His Majesty the Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman also delivered a national perspective at the Indonesian Customary Council Communication Forum, attended by kings, sultans, datuks, queens, and customary leaders across the Nusantara.
The forum served as a noble customary deliberation space to strengthen unity, cultural values, and the strategic role of customary institutions as moral and ethical pillars of national life.
Closing the series of events, the Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman conveyed prayers and hopes that the spirit of love, brotherhood, tolerance, and Nusantara local wisdom will continue to grow and become a light for Indonesia toward 2045 Golden Indonesia.
Reported from various sources / senior journalist media primenewspost
