Three recognized as national heroes in state ceremony<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono posthumously bestowed the
\ntitle of National Hero on three Indonesians on Wednesday to mark
\nNational Heroes Day, which falls on Nov. 10.<\/p>\n
The three figures are the late Kiras Bangun from North
\nSumatra, the late Bagindo Azizchan from West Sumatra and the late
\nAndi Abdullah Bau Masseppe from South Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
The title, which is the highest honor the state can bestow, is
\nawarded based on a recommendation from a committee consisting of
\nhistorians, representatives of the military headquarters history
\ncenter and the National Archives, and academics.<\/p>\n
The President presented the awards to descendants of the three
\nduring a simple ceremony at the State Palace, which was attended
\nby a number of Cabinet members.<\/p>\n
During the ceremony, Susilo also bestowed the Bintang
\nMahaputra Utama medal on Rizal Nurdin, the governor of North
\nSumatra who died in a plane accident in September this year and
\nwho was a former classmate of Susilo in the Military Academy, for
\nhis \"achievements in promoting development in the province.\"<\/p>\n
Kiras, who was also known as Garamata, was born in 1852 and
\ndied in 1942. He was known as a noted leader in Karo regency,
\nNorth Sumatra. He persistently waged war against the Dutch
\ncolonial government until he was arrested in 1909.<\/p>\n
After his release in 1919, Kiras led an underground movement
\nagainst the colonial government until he died in 1942.<\/p>\n
Azizchan (1910-1947) was a mayor of the West Sumatra capital
\nof Padang. He was also known for his consistent stance against
\nthe Dutch.<\/p>\n
As a lawyer, he lobbied and managed to convince the colonial
\ngovernment to release a number of Indonesian prisoners. For the
\nsake of his people, he refused to leave Padang despite the
\ndeteriorating security condition in the area due to the war.<\/p>\n
He was killed by the Dutch in 1949.<\/p>\n
Born in 1918, Andi Abdullah was a leading figure from Pare-
\npare, South Sulawesi. He strongly supported the establishment of
\nthe Unitary Republic of Indonesia in 1945 by setting up a number
\nof pro-Indonesia groups.<\/p>\n
He was involved in rebellion against the Dutch and the
\nJapanese governments in South Sulawesi. The country's first
\npresident, Soekarno, awarded him the honorary title of colonel.
\nHe was later appointed the first commander of the Indonesian
\nMilitary in the province.<\/p>\n
Andi Abdullah was shot by Westerling's forces in 1947 after
\nbeing held for 160 days.<\/p>\n
Minister of Social Services Bachtiar Chamsyah said that the
\ngovernment had decided to bestow the awards following a thorough
\nverification process.<\/p>\n
\"We do not easily award the title of National Hero,\" he told
\nreporters after the ceremony.<\/p>\n
According to Bachtiar, a National Hero or his\/her heirs would
\nreceive a pension of Rp 600,000 (about US$60) per month for life,
\nas well as health insurance.<\/p>\n
\"We will raise it next year to Rp 1.5 million a month
\nfollowing an order from the President,\" he said.<\/p>\n
To date, there are 112 National Heroes. The government does
\nnot award the title every year, the minister said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-recognized-as-national-heroes-in-state-ceremony-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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