Proud and Emotional, Families Reflect on Legacy of National Heroes
President Prabowo Subianto confers the title of National Hero on ten distinguished figures represented by their heirs in a solemn ceremony held at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (11/10).
During the conferment ceremony led by President Prabowo Subianto Monday (11/10) at the State Palace, Jakarta, where ten distinguished figures were awarded the title of National Hero and represented by their heirs, emotions ran high as each name was called.
Amid the solemn proceedings, pride and gratitude blended with memories of their enduring struggle for the nation.
Marsini, the elder sister of the late Marsinah, was visibly moved as she received the honor on behalf of her sister.
She expressed her deep gratitude to the President and all those who had recognized Marsinah’s enduring struggle.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to President Prabowo for conferring this honor upon my sister, Marsinah. I never imagined that she would be recognized as such a remarkable figure, making all of Indonesia, especially Nganjuk, proud. Nganjuk now has a national hero,” Marsini said.
Marsinah, a female laborer from Nglundo Village, Nganjuk, is remembered as a symbol of moral courage in the fight for workers’ rights and humanity.
Raised in a modest farming family, her steadfast idealism made her an icon of the people’s struggle.
“Thank you, my sister Marsinah, for bringing your nephew, your sister, and those who accompanied me here to the Presidential Palace,” Marsini said proudly.
Dimyati Muhammad, the fourth-generation descendant of the revered cleric Syaikhona Muhammad Kholil (a pioneer of faith-based nationalism), received the National Hero title on behalf of his ancestor with deep gratitude.
“During his lifetime, Syaikhona Kholil dedicated himself to advancing education, particularly Islamic education. He was the originator of the concept Hubbul Wathan Minal Iman (love of the homeland as part of faith),” Dimyati said.
Dimyati also expressed the family’s profound appreciation for the Government’s decision to confer the National Hero title on Syaikhona Kholil, while hoping that this honor will serve as an inspiration for all Indonesians.
“We hope this recognition will benefit not only our family but the Indonesian people as a whole, because Syaikhona Kholil no longer belongs only to his family, he belongs to the nation as well,” Dimyati stated.
Meanwhile, Siti Hardijanti Hastuti Rukmana, the eldest daughter of Indonesia’s second President General H. M. Soeharto, also known as Tutut, attended the ceremony to receive the National Hero title on behalf of her late father.
“Indonesian society is diverse. Some may agree, others may not, and that’s perfectly natural. What matters most is that we recognize what my father devoted his life to from his youth until his passing, his struggle for the nation, the state, and the people of Indonesia,” she said.
Tutut added that the Soeharto family would express their gratitude through prayer and ziarah (grave visit).
“We will visit Father’s grave, offer dhikr there, and give thanks to Allah. None of this would have been possible without His permission,” she said reverently.
Representing the family of the late Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) attended the ceremony and expressed his gratitude and pride over the conferment of the National Hero title on his grandfather General (Ret.) Sarwo Edhie Wibowo.
“On behalf of the extended Sarwo Edhie Wibowo family, I would like to convey our deepest gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Government for conferring this great honor. It is an extraordinary recognition of his lifelong service and dedication as a soldier, one of the distinguished Red Berets,” AHY said.
AHY underscored that the conferment of the National Hero title serves as a reminder for the family to continue upholding the values of struggle, integrity, and dedication exemplified by General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo.
He also conveyed that the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono extended his appreciation to the Government and President Prabowo Subianto, recalling that Sarwo Edhie once served as Governor of the Military Academy.
“He served as Governor of the Military Academy for many years, producing two of the nation’s finest sons, namely President Prabowo Subianto and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,” AHY remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RIF/EP)
