Four New Indonesian Heroes (Pahlawan Nasional) Added on Heroes Day
Today is Hari Pahlawan (Heroes’ Day) in Indonesia. On this day, which is always celebrated on 10 November, Indonesia commemorates those people (posthumously) that have made a significant contribution to the country. Currently, the list of Indonesian heroes numbers 163 people (only 12 of which are women), and most of whom were involved in the battle against colonialism. Each year, the Indonesian president can add names to this list. This year, Indonesian President Joko Widodo added four names.
These four names (that from now on will be recognized as Indonesian heroes) are Djamin Ginting (1921-1974), Mohamad Mangundiprojo (d. 1988), Sukarni Kartodiwirjo (1916-1971) and Abdul Wahab Hasbullah (1888-1971).
Djamin Ginting
Ginting was a prominent army leader and Independence fighter serving the Indonesian army between the years 1945 and 1968. He led his troops in battles with the British, Dutch and Japanese. Later he became secretary to the President, then deputy state secretary, and lastly Indonesia’s ambassador to Canada.
Mohamad Mangundiprojo
Mangundiprojo was an Indonesian military officer who contributed to the country’s Independence struggle by capturing assets of the Dutch. He also played a prominent role in the Battle of Surabaya (10 November 1945) against British forces.
Sukarni Kartodiwirjo
Sukarni was a political activist who battled against the colonial regime. He was a member of the Indonesian Party (Partindo), one of first Indonesian political organizations, and which aimed for full Indonesian independence.
Abdul Wahab Hasbullah
Abdul Wahab Hasbullah played a vital role in the establishment of traditional Islamic boarding schools in Java and is one of the founding fathers of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in 1926. The NU is a traditionalist Muslim organization (contrary to the modernist policies of the Muhammadiyah which rejects pre-Islamic Javanese traditions). Today, The NU is one of the world’s largest independent Islamic organizations with around 30 million members (mainly in East Java). Abdul Wahab Hasbullah also co-founded the Masyumi party (Indonesia’s first Islamic political party) in 1945.
The date 10 November was chosen as Heroes’ Day as on this day in the year 1945 a bloody battle occurred in Surabaya (East Java) between the allied forces (mainly British) and Indonesian troops and militia. Although Indonesian leaders Soekarno and Hatta had already declared Independence on 17 August 1945, it would take four more years of Revolution against the Dutch (and allied forces) before Indonesia was in fact independent.