By: Dr Sigit Triyono 

SINGKAWANG — Warm and full of a sense of family. That was the atmosphere at Singkawang Town Hall on Monday (20 July 2026), when the Mayor of Singkawang, Tjhai Chui Mie, welcomed a delegation from the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) along with advisers and members of the LAI Mitra Pontianak Support Mobilisation Working Group (KKPD).

 

​This visit was not merely an ordinary meeting. LAI is here to convey its grand mission, which aligns with the government’s agenda: to foster the spirituality of citizens, particularly Christians. As an organisation entrusted with the mandate to translate, publish and distribute the Bible, and to encourage believers to use it as a guide for life, LAI is fully aware that this noble task cannot be undertaken alone in a country as vast as Indonesia.

 

​Support from various quarters—particularly the Singkawang City Council, known as the most tolerant city in Indonesia—has been a breath of fresh air for the continuation of this mission.

 

​During the meeting, LAI outlined its major agenda for this year: to distribute 155,000 Bibles to meet the needs of the less well-off across the country.

 

​Specifically for the West Kalimantan region, based on an assessment of the needs of local churches, LAI is currently working to procure and distribute 8,000 Bibles, focusing on the Sintang area and its surroundings.

 

​To realise this programme, LAI plans to hold a partner appreciation event entitled “Bible Mission Gathering” (BMG), which will be centred in the city of Singkawang. The presence and full support of Mrs Tjhai Chui Mie, Mayor of Singkawang, will undoubtedly be key to the success of this event.

 

​The relaxed yet substantive discussion was enthusiastically received by Mrs Tjhai Chui Mie.

 

In a warm and informal atmosphere, she emphasised three key points:

- ​Full Support: Regarding the BMG event, he highly commended every initiative aimed at enhancing the spiritual quality of life of the faithful.

- ​The Importance of Spiritual Literacy: He regarded the distribution of Bibles as a vital foundation for guiding and leading the congregation along the path of righteousness.

- ​Commitment to Attendance: As a concrete form of support, he expressed his readiness to attend the upcoming Bible Mission Gathering in person.

 

​The warm conversation that afternoon felt all the more special when traditional Singkawang dishes were served. A plate of warm Choi Pan, filled with crisp and savoury jicama, served as the perfect sweet complement to a beautiful synergy between the local government and religious institutions—a true testament to the harmony of the most tolerant city in the archipelago.