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Jokowi posthumously names four national heroes
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo posthumously bestowed the title of national hero on four historical figures – the father of Indonesian cinema, a sultan, a king and an ancestor of the current vice president – in commemoration of Heroes Day.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (center) and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin pass by a framed portrait of Raden Aria Wangsakara, an Islamic scholar from Banten from the 1600s, ahead of the inauguration ceremony for national heroes at the State Palace in Jakarta, on Nov. 10, 2021. Wangsakara, who also happens to be an ancestor of Ma'ruf, was posthumously given the title of national hero on Heroes Day. (Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau/-)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo posthumously bestowed the title of national hero on four Indonesian historical figures on Wednesday in commemoration of Heroes Day.
As part of annual celebrations held every Nov. 10, the government has made it an ongoing tradition to reach into the nation’s rich tapestry of history and prehistory to recognize figures who were influential in the building of the nation and its political and sociocultural makeup.
This year, Jokowi reached across centuries to honor West Sumatra’s Usmar Ismail, the father of Indonesian cinema, as well as one of three founders of Tangerang, a king and a sultan, with the latter two coming from regions whose leaders have yet to be recognized as national heroes.
Besides Usmar, the President also recognized Banten revolutionary Raden Aria Wangsakara, King Tombolotutu from Central Sulawesi and Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris from Kutai Kartanegara, the oldest kingdom in Indonesia that is based on the site of modern day East Kalimantan.
Their inclusion among the ranks of national heroes, based on a decree issued on Oct. 25, was formalized at the State Palace on Wednesday in a ceremony led by presidential military secretary Air Vice Marshal Tony Harjono.
“While they have all passed, their service in the struggle, defense and exercise of independence, as well as their efforts to keep the nation united and intact, will forever be remembered,” Jokowi said on an official Instagram post.
Read also: On Heroes Day, Jokowi calls for spirit of heroism in COVID-19 battle
