INDONESIANTALK.com — Prabowo Honors 19 Figures as National Heroes, Families Urged to Preserve Their Legacy
President Prabowo Subianto has conferred Indonesia’s highest national honor, the title of National Hero, on 19 prominent figures in recognition of their contributions to the country’s history and independence struggle.
The awards were presented at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, coinciding with the country’s annual Heroes Day commemoration.
The Indonesian Association of National Heroes’ Families (IKPNI) welcomed the decision, describing it as more than a formal state recognition. For the families of the recipients, the honor represents an acknowledgment of the sacrifices, dedication and struggles that helped shape Indonesia.
“Behind every title lies a story of struggle that continues to live in the memories of families and serves as a valuable legacy for future generations,” the association said.
The 19 recipients came from diverse backgrounds, regions and fields of service, reflecting the many dimensions of Indonesia’s national struggle.
They include former National Police chief General (ret.) Hoegeng Iman Santoso; economist and former Bank Negara Indonesia founder R.M. Margono Djojohadikusumo; former prime minister Ali Sastroamidjojo; diplomat and former minister Franciscus Xaverius Seda; literary figure Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana; and former Jakarta governor and Navy Marine Corps general Ali Sadikin.
Other recipients include Maraden Panggabean, Soengkono, Raden Suryadi Suryadarma, Muhammad Jusuf, Mohamad Roem, and religious figures Muhammad Yusuf Hasyim, Wasyid, Muslim Muhammad Khalifah, better known as Kiai Modjo, and Abbas Abdul Jamil.
The list also includes Sultan Muhammad Ali Abdul Jalil Muazzam Syah, known as Marhum Pekan; Sultan Ibrahim Chaliluddin; Abdoel Moethalib Sangadji; and Lieutenant Colonel Moch. Sroedji.
IKPNI chairwoman Prof. Meutia Farida Hatta, daughter of Indonesia’s first vice president Mohammad Hatta, attended several Heroes Day events, including commemorative pilgrimages and gatherings with descendants of national heroes.
The association encouraged the heirs of newly designated National Heroes to safeguard their families’ reputations and preserve the values represented by their predecessors. They were also invited to join IKPNI voluntarily as a platform for strengthening ties among families and promoting national solidarity.
A Day of National Remembrance
The Heroes Day commemoration featured a series of state ceremonies across Jakarta.
At the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, popularly known as Gus Ipul, led a ceremony attended by Meutia Farida Hatta.
Gus Ipul was assigned to lead the cemetery ceremony as Prabowo presided over the National Hero title conferment at the State Palace.
A separate naval ceremony and flower-laying procession took place aboard the KRI Sriwijaya-100, which departed from Pier 107 at Tanjung Priok Port for the waters of Jakarta Bay.
The ceremony was led by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman and Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali. The event was also attended by the deputy social affairs minister and leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).
IKPNI also participated in other Heroes Day activities centered at Jakarta City Hall.
Remembering Women’s Contribution to the Independence Struggle
Beyond official ceremonies, IKPNI organized a special screening of Pasukan 1000 Janda (The Army of 1,000 Widows) at Cinema XXI, Kemang Village Mall, Jakarta, at 4 p.m.
The film draws inspiration from the story of Admiral Malahayati and the Inong Balee, an all-female fighting force associated with the Aceh Sultanate.
The screening was intended to introduce the history of Indonesian women’s contribution to the national struggle to a wider audience, particularly younger generations.
The event brought together descendants of numerous Indonesian national heroes, including members of the families of Sam Ratulangi, Ahmad Subardjo, Mohammad Natsir, Tan Malaka, Suryopranoto, Sultan Sisingamangaraja XII, General Sudirman, General A.H. Nasution and Ir. Djuanda.
Descendants of Admiral Malahayati and J.A. Dimara were also among those attending.
Ismeth Wibowo, a descendant of national hero Ir. H. Djuanda, said the film highlighted the courage, determination and perseverance of Indonesian women through the legacy of Admiral Malahayati.
“The spirit of struggle must continue to be inherited and kept alive, not merely by remembering the services of our heroes, but by carrying their values into our everyday lives,” Ismeth said.
He stressed that Heroes Day should not be reduced to an annual ceremonial occasion. Instead, it should serve as a reminder of the importance of patriotism, unity, courage and public service in building the nation.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As part of its broader commemorative program, IKPNI also held a meeting with the Jakarta governor and deputy governor.
Ismeth said the annual commemoration should serve as an opportunity to revive patriotism among Indonesians as the country faces increasingly complex challenges.
He argued that the struggles of previous generations should inspire today’s citizens to make tangible contributions to national development.
Ismeth also extended his congratulations to the families of the 19 newly designated National Heroes, welcoming them into the wider community of descendants of Indonesia’s national figures.
The association hopes that the various Heroes Day activities will help ensure that the legacy of the country’s founding generation remains relevant beyond historical remembrance.
For IKPNI, the significance of honoring national heroes lies not only in recognizing the past, but also in translating their values into present-day action.
The challenge, therefore, is to ensure that courage, sacrifice, unity and dedication to the public good remain part of Indonesia’s national character — and are passed on to generations yet to come.
