Indroyono made the remarks when he presided over a ceremony for the commemoration of Dharma Samudera Day on the KRI Makassar landing platform dock vessel, sailing on Jakarta Bay Thursday morning.

The minister said that the spirit of sacrifice, belief in one's own strength and solidarity with national hero Yos Sudarso, who together with crew members of the KRI Macan Tutul, were killed in a battle with Dutch warships on the Arafura Sea on Dec. 15, 1962, had inspired the next generation to continue their goal of struggle.

The war broke out when an expedition of three Indonesian motor torpedo boats -- the KRI Macan Tutul, the KRI Macan Kumbang and the KRI Harimau -- launched a secret operation to open a sea blockade imposed by the Dutch colonial administration.

An unbalanced battle took place, when the Dutch warships -- the HM Evertsen, the HM Kortenaer and the HM Utrech -- with back-up from Dutch fighter aircraft of the Neptune and Frely types, intercepted the Indonesian operation.

Commodore Yos Sudarso instantly took over the expedition command by ordering the crews of the KRI Macan Kumbang and the KRI Harimau to save themselves, while the KRI Macan Tutul, which he was on board, continued its head-on struggle with the Dutch warships.

The Dutch warships bombarded the KRI Macan Tutul and sank it, killing Yos Sudarso, KRI Macan Tutul commander Captain Wiratno and 21 crew members. At least 53 other crew members were detained by the Dutch.

Through a radio signal aired from the KRI Macan Tutul before the sinking, Yos Sudarso gave his heroic command: "Wage the spirit of war!"

"The bravery and spirit of struggle as shown by the Indonesian fighters who were killed on Arafura Sea has given inspiration to the next generation on the importance of defending every inch of land and sea with the power we have as a sovereign country," Indroyono said.

He further said that in line with the Cabinet's vision for the revival of the Indonesia as the world maritime axis it is important to commemorate Dharma Samudera Day every year to give spirit and inspiration to the next generations to continue the struggle of the fighters.

Thursday's ceremony was highlighted with the spreading of flower petals on Jakarta Bay.

Those present at the ceremony included Minister of Maritime and Fishery Resources Susi Pudjiastuti, deputy chief of the Navy Vice Adm. Didit Herdiawan and members of the families of the heroes who were killed during the Arafura Sea battle in 1962. (hhr)

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