Jakarta, IO – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially bestowed national hero titles to five figures who are deemed to have contributed to the Republic of Indonesia in various fields.
Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD as chairman of the Title, Service and Honorary Council said the decision was based on community suggestions and had gone through a selection processes.
“Today, the President, after discussing with us, decided this year to award five national heroes titles to national figures who have participated in the independence struggle to establish the Republic of Indonesia and participate in its development as a sovereign country,” said Mahfud MD.
The first title was awarded to the late DR. dr. H. R. Suharto from Central Java who fought alongside President Soekarno in the struggle for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Even after independence, he participated in the construction of a number of infrastructures in the country, including the Sarinah department store, National Monument and the Istiqlal Mosque as well the construction of the Jakarta Hospital and one of the founders of the All-Indonesia Doctors’ Association (IDI).