Central Java Government Proposes Prabowo's Grandfather as National Hero
The Central Java Provincial Government (Pemprov Jateng) has proposed that the grandfather of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, RM Margono Djojohadikusumo, be named a National Hero this year.
Pemprov Jateng stated that Margono rendered great service in the field of the Indonesian economy.
Head of the Central Java Social Service (Dinsos), Imam Maskur, said that Margono and KH Sholeh Darat are two figures from Central Java who have been proposed again to receive the National Hero title this year.
He said that Margono’s nomination was made by the Banyumas Regency Government (Pemkab). Meanwhile, KH Sholeh Darat was proposed by the Semarang City Government (Pemkot).
Imam stated that all stages of the nomination process for the two figures have been completed at the regional level. The files have also been sent to the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) following a recommendation from the Governor of Central Java, Komjen Pol. (Ret.) Ahmad Luthfi.
“The process is all clear, everything is already at the ministry. We have sent it, we have received the Governor’s recommendation, and we have sent it to the Ministry of Social Affairs,” said Imam on Thursday (20/8), as quoted from detikJateng.
According to him, the decision on whether Margono or KH Sholeh will be named a National Hero now rests with the central government.
If all stages proceed smoothly, he said, Margono and KH Sholeh Darat have the opportunity to be awarded the National Hero title at the Heroes’ Day commemoration on 10 November.
“Various things are considered, from their works, their service, their writings. For example, KH Sholeh Darat’s books. Then their contribution to the government,” Imam explained.
“Like Mr Margono, his service in the economic field is also extraordinary, such as the founding of Bank BNI in 1946, where one of the thinkers was Mr Margono. That is one of the considerations,” he continued.
Imam explained that the proposal for the National Hero title originated from community aspirations. The proposal was then submitted through the district/city government to be assessed by the Provincial Team of Researchers and Assessors of Regional Titles (TP2GD).
“Later, if it passes at the provincial level, it is submitted to the governor for a recommendation. That recommendation is then sent to the Ministry of Social Affairs, where there is a TP2GP, and then it is submitted to the president,” he explained.
Imam said that the proposals for Margono and KH Sholeh Darat actually began in 2025. Pemprov Jateng then sent the two names to the Ministry of Social Affairs in April 2026.
In addition to these two names, Central Java is also re-proposing five figures who had previously been submitted as National Hero candidates but have not yet received the title.
“Such as Dr Kariadi. Kariadi’s work is extraordinary, but he has not yet received the title, and we are proposing him again,” he said.
There are also Bambang Sugeng from Temanggung Regency, Bambang Soeprapto Dipokoesoemo from Banyumas Regency, Basoeki Probowinoto from Salatiga City, and Roebiono Kertopati from Purworejo Regency.