Few bother to observe National Heroes Day

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Unlike in past years, no sirens sounded across the country on Saturday to herald minutes of silence as a tribute to the fallen fathers of independence.

Only a handful of people attended the National Heroes Day ceremony at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.

Among top military brass, only Jakarta Garrison chief Brig. Gen. Harry Pisand Pinem and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo attended the 15-minute ceremony at Kalibata, presided over by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla.

The country's leaders, including the President, Vice President and legislature speakers, were not seen commemorating heroes' day.

In Surabaya, from where heroes' day originated, the commemoration was marked with a drive led by the East Java governor aimed at cleaning the city of garbage.

"The city has long faced garbage problems. In line with the commemoration of National Heroes' Day, I urge people here to clean up the city," governor Imam Utomo said.

Another other commemorative activities, flowers were cast into the sea from the naval warship KRI Teluk Ende, in a ceremony led by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Also attending the ceremony was Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono.

Despite less fanfare, Navy spokesman Commodore Franky Kayhatu said National Heroes' Day was still meaningful for the Indonesian Military (TNI).

He said each military unit held their own ceremonies, led by their leaders.