Captain Japa Nominated for National Hero Status
Denpasar City Government has nominated the late Captain Ida Bagus Putu Japa, known as Captain Japa, for National Hero status. Captain Japa was killed during the Denpasar General Offensive on 11 April 1946, when his wife was eight months pregnant.
Denpasar Social Affairs Agency head I Gusti Ayu Laxmy Saraswaty said the nomination process began in 2025. The city government has conducted research and collected historical materials about Captain Japa’s struggle.
“We actually began the nomination process last year. We conducted studies and research while collecting materials,” Laxmy said at the launch of the biography of Ida Bagus Putu Japa in Denpasar on Tuesday (27 October 2026).
Research has also examined various monuments to Captain Japa, including a monument, a street named after him and a field. His story and the hope that future generations will continue to know him are also part of the assessment for the National Hero nomination.
Denpasar Regional Secretary I Gusti Ngurah Eddy Mulya said the city government had established a Regional Titles Research and Review Team (TP2GD). The team is responsible for preparing the stages involved in nominating people considered to have made significant contributions for National Hero status.
“The TP2GD team is tasked with formulating, planning and preparing each stage required for someone to be awarded National Hero status,” Eddy said.
As part of the process, Denpasar City Government is coordinating with the Ministry of Social Affairs. It has also involved the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to deepen the research and verify historical documents and data.
“We hope these deliberations will produce a more technical and detailed formulation, and ensure that all documents and accounts are up to date, accurate and objective,” Eddy added.
To educate the public and introduce Captain Japa, the city government has also launched a biography recounting his life and struggle. The book will be distributed to the public and schools to help them learn more about him and his contribution.
“We will work through the heads of the Education Agency and the Archives and Library Agency to make this educational and reading material. It could be distributed not only in hard copy but also as a digital file, so it can reach more people,” Eddy added.
Meanwhile, Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) member Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra said Captain Japa was a central figure in the Denpasar General Offensive. Rai Mantra is a former Denpasar mayor and Captain Japa’s nephew.
Rai Mantra said Captain Japa’s decision to attack Dutch military barracks at the time was not an easy one, particularly as his wife was pregnant.
“He had a wife who was eight months pregnant, and his decision to attack the Dutch barracks was not an easy one,” Rai Mantra said.