Deputy Social Minister Supports Proposal for HB II to Become National Hero During Meeting with Pagerejo Residents
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono received a delegation from the Vasiatii Socaning Lokika Foundation and residents of Pagerejo Village, Wonosobo Regency, Central Java, on Monday (6/4). Their visit aimed to propose that Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) II be awarded the title of national hero.
Agus Jabo welcomed the aspiration and voiced his support for efforts to bestow the hero title on the nation’s fighters.
“As a state apparatus, I support anyone proposing that fighters and national figures become national heroes,” Agus Jabo stated in a written release on Tuesday (7/4/2026).
Nevertheless, he clarified that the Ministry of Social Affairs does not determine the national hero title. There are several mandatory procedural stages, beginning with tiered proposals at the local level, verification by the Regional Title Research and Assessment Team (TP2GD), submission to the Awards Council, and final approval by the president if all requirements are met.
“The finalisation of someone or a national figure becoming a national hero is determined by the Awards Council, but the procedure starts from the city/regency and province levels,” the Deputy Minister explained.
Chairman of the Vasiatii Socaning Lokika Foundation, Fajar Bagus Putranto, explained that the local-level proposal process is already underway. The submission from Pagerejo Village residents began in January 2024, and the academic paper was submitted to the Wonosobo Regent in April 2026.
“The stages for proposing a national hero candidate were carried out in our village on 30 January 2024,” Fajar said.
Fajar hopes that the proposal can be promptly processed further by the relevant authorities.
On the other hand, Agus Jabo reminded that honouring heroes is not merely about granting titles, but about how the Indonesian nation continues their spirit of struggle.
“It’s not just about the title, but we must also carry on the struggle of the nation’s figures. At a time when the world is experiencing upheavals, conflicts, and disputes, I very much hope that we regain our national identity,” he concluded.