Surakarta government has proposed that composer Gesang Martohartono who died on Thursday be named a national hero due to his distinguished contribution to the state.
Deputy Mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo said on Friday the municipal government would officially file the request with the Ministry of Social Services.
Gesang, 92, died after over a week of medical treatment at PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital in the sultanate city. He was buried on Friday in a military ceremony at a public cemetery in Sukoharjo, near Surakarta.
Social Services Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri responded positively to the request later on Friday, saying the government deemed Gesang deserved the hero status, thanks to his role in the national history.
Salim, who spent his childhood in Surakarta, compared keroncong music maestro Gesang with other great composers WR Supratman and Ismail marzuki who were posthumously declared national heroes.
“Gesang has helped build our national identity,” Salim said via text message on his way back from a visit to China.
The government has so far awarded national hero status to 147 citizens from all walks of life.
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