A Big Nation Respects and Honor Their Heroes, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi on the National Heroes Day commemoration, at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta, Sunday (10/11). (Photo by: Oji/PR).

A big nation is a nation that respects and honors the sacrifices of their heroes, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has said.

According to the President, Indonesian national heroes sacrificed their lives to fight for and defend the country’s independence.

“It is incumbent upon us to continue their struggles, especially in the fight against poverty, ignorance, backwardness, inequality, and others,” President Jokowi told reporters on after presiding over a ceremony to commemorate this year’s National Heroes Day at Kalibata heroes cemetery in South Jakarta, Sunday (11/10).

The ceremony included a series of events such as remembering the battle on 10 November in Surabaya, followed by a moment of silence, reciting prayers for veterans, honoring the fallen heroes, and placing flowers on the graves of national heroes.

10 November is celebrated annually as National Heroes Day. It is inspired by the Battle of Surabaya that was fought between pro-independence Indonesian soldiers and militia against British and British Indian troops as a part of the Indonesian National Revolution.

The peak of the battle was in November 1945. The battle was the heaviest single battle of the revolution and became a national symbol of Indonesian resistance. Considered a heroic effort by Indonesians, the battle helped galvanize Indonesian and international support for Indonesian independence.

Also attending the ceremony were Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, Chief of Indonesian National Police General Idham Azis, Commander of Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and members of the Indonesian Onward Cabinet. (HIM/OJI/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas