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00:00 Gifted to Timorese people as a sign of improved relation with their Indonesian neighbors.
00:05 This 89-foot high statue of Christ the Ray brings memory of two important historical events,
00:11 both happening on the same date of 17, including when East Timor was integrated into Indonesia
00:18 as well as the day Indonesia proclaimed its own independence.
00:22 It brings memories, including mixed reactions, and is one of the most visited places in the country.
00:28 I came here to visit Fatimh because I was very happy to see him.
00:34 I was very happy to see him.
00:36 I was very happy to see him.
00:38 I saw him on the beach, on the island, and I was very happy to see him.
00:44 I was very happy to see him.
00:46 I was very happy to see him.
00:51 I visited Fatimh because he was a very good man and he was very good at exercising.
00:57 And now, on Sunday, I come here to visit him.
01:04 This Christ the Ray statue was the idea of the Indonesian President Soeharto
01:09 and was given to the people of Timor-Leste.
01:12 The statue was built in 1996 by a Muslim artist named Muhammad Saylila.
01:18 Handover of the statue was officiated by the Indonesian President Soeharto.
01:24 Erecting this statue was basically seen by many as a sign of improved relations
01:31 between the two neighbouring countries of Indonesia and Timor-Leste following years of armed conflict.
01:37 On the other hand, however, people have gone ahead to attach various meanings to it.
01:44 Foreigners never lose a chance to visit the site.
01:47 There's lots of steps, so it's good exercise.
01:51 And it's nice to come here amongst the religious statues and the Stations of the Cross
01:58 and also just the friendly Timorese people.
02:02 I think it's a lovely place with great views
02:06 and it's always nice to get up to the top and see Christ the Ray.
02:11 To some, it brings back memories and mixed reactions.
02:15 The President of Indonesia, Soeharto, who officially handed the statue of Timorese people,
02:21 wanted to hit two birds with one stone.
02:25 On the first note, the date of 17th of July of 1976
02:30 is the day East Timor was integrated into Indonesia.
02:34 East Timor quickly became Indonesian district following invasion.
02:39 On the second note, the same date of 17th of August of 1945,
02:45 Indonesia proclaimed its independence from the Netherlands.
02:49 It is from this perspective that this statue has become a reminder
02:55 to both Indonesian and Timorese people of their violent past.
02:59 This still young nation of Timor-Leste has nearly 99% of its 1.3 million people professing Catholic religion.
03:11 And to them, this statue is rather symbolizing figure of Jesus Christ.
03:17 Majority of the local population that visit this hill to see the statue
03:23 don't forget to say few words of prayer.
03:27 Even though this great statue is a source of many stories and causing mixed reactions,
03:33 depending on who you meet, it is clear that this statue is also symbol of togetherness.
03:41 On Sunday and Saturday, people come to see the statue.
03:48 If you have a good land, people will come.
03:53 People come not for the statue, but for the beauty of Timor.
04:04 If we do something good for our country, people will come.
04:09 It is also for our own good.
04:11 If people come, our economy will grow.
04:13 If people come here, they will spend money.
04:16 They want to stay in a hotel, eat in a restaurant, buy food in Timor,
04:19 or stay in Timor for a week or two, or even a month or two.
04:24 The local economy will grow.
04:26 This piece of art has done a great deal in bringing people from all walks of life together.
04:32 It continues to strengthen the bond of people, especially Indonesians in Timorese,
04:37 who live side by side.
04:40 From CIS Today, I'm Egas Bento in Timor-Leste, capital of Dili.
04:44 (music)