Heroes are hard-working, honest, 'clean' role models

Heroes are hard-working, honest, 'clean' role models

Today, Indonesia commemorates National Heroes Day. November 10 marks the climax of the battle of Surabaya, Pertempuran 10 November l945, in the fight against the Allied troops, who were trying to re-establish Dutch colonial rule in the archipelago. The battle showed Indonesia's strong determination to eliminate any form of colonialism from the country, as well as from other parts of the world. The following article records people's comments on how a hero should be defined.

Mrs. Kasur, 69, a prominent educator: A hero is a hard-working and dedicated person whose works benefit the people.

He or she can be a teacher, a doctor, a scientist, an artist, etc. A hero is not only a person involved in battle.

In the past, children were taught that a hero was only someone fighting an enemy. But, we do not have an enemy now, therefore such a concept is no longer appropriate.

Onghokham, 62, a noted historian: Nov. 10 commemorates the Surabaya battle against the Allied Forces in l945. As a historian, I see the day as a historical event in the development of the nation. Many people performed heroic actions to defend Indonesia's independence, which was obtained two months before that battle.

But, I don't think it appropriate to declare Nov. 10 as National Heroes Day. Moreover, every year, the Indonesian people always celebrate National Heroes Day in monotonous ways. The most important point is the essence of the heroic acts, not the celebration.

Each period has its own heroes. Indonesia now has too many heroes. If the country runs out of its natural resources, we can still export heroes.

Kwik Kian Gie, 60, a noted economist: It is our obligation to honor the merits of our heroes by evaluating whether their sacrifice has been fruitful.

The dream of our heroes was to free the country from colonialism. When they had achieved their dreams, they demanded that their successors continue their efforts to build the country properly.

Although the country has made amazing progress since its Independence Day on Aug. 17, l945, we still find many groups of people dissatisfied with the present. Large gaps exist in economic and political life and there is a tendency towards exclusiveness. Is there something wrong with our country?

In my opinion, under first President Sukarno Indonesia successfully built the country's foundation of Pancasila. This strong foundation united the country and its pluralistic population. However, the government neglected the country's economy in the l960s.

Under the new order government, led by President Soeharto, Indonesia has achieved both economic and political stability. The economy is developing rapidly and social welfare has improved. But rapid economic growth has also created a wider gap between the rich and poor.

Indonesia needs a strong leader from the third generation to realize the dream of our heroes and help Indonesia become a more stable and equitable nation.

Sabam Sirait, 59, member of the House of Representatives: My definition of a hero is someone who is willing to work hard and work seriously, fighting for freedom without demanding any reward. For instance, a hero does not work because they want to become president. Heroes and politics are inseparable. It is the state which determines whether or not a person is a hero, a national hero.

I think the state's official recognition of a hero is not really important. What's more important is the public's recognition. The government tries to become objective in determining the heroes, but sometimes they make mistakes. Heroes must be clean, they must not be corrupt. Some of those buried in Taman Pahlawan, the heroes' cemetery, were not clean.

Formally, we have gained our independence. We have to defend that independence and make the best of it. However, there are still forms of oppression facing us. These forms of oppression can be found in the fields of economics and culture. How can we say that Indonesia is (economically) free if we don't have the anti-trust law, the anti-monopoly law and the anti-cartel law?

It is not easy to become a hero.

Benjamin Mangkoedilaga, 58, head of the Jakarta Administrative Court: A hero is someone who has done his or her best for the nation in accordance with his or her profession.

There are many heroes surrounding us, but they are not known or exposed. There are pemulung (scavengers) and becak (pedicab) drivers who become heroes.

Becak drivers support have done a lot in the field of public transportation. They support the activities of many people.

What pemulung are doing is good for the environment. They help clean the environment, and people can feel the benefit of their work.

Heroes do not need medals or awards. What they need is care, attention. I know some big heroes who have received a lot of medals but they live below the poverty line. What they need is not medals, but real attention, like, credit facilities, or financial support for their children's educations.

Kartono Muhammad, 56, a doctor and a NGO activist: The definition of a hero is very difficult indeed. For me, a hero is a person who has rendered his or her country many services.

`People behind the stage' are rarely considered as heroes. Take for example, a general cannot attack an enemy without the help of his subordinates. But, it is only the general who receives a token of merit from the government and the society.

People who work very hard to eradicate poverty could be said to be heroes. Doctors or teachers working in the country's remote areas should also be regarded as heroes.

The younger generation should not be indoctrinated about the concept of national heroes. They should know that a hero is not only a military figure or a famous person.

There are many heroes in our daily lives, but we do not realize how much they contribute to the country.

Debra Yatim, 30s, a communication consultant and a writer: Most Indonesian people commemorate National Heroes Day in a military way. School children, government officials and members of the military are obliged to hold flag raising ceremonies on Heroes Day and other national days to honor the country's heroes.

This may be a good way to make people understand the merits of our heroes, but do they really know the real concept of a hero?

People tend to associate a hero with those involved in military struggles during Indonesia's independence period in the l940s or prominent figures who fought for colonialism in earlier period such as Prince Diponegoro or Imam Bonjol.

But who is the real hero? Do we regard a teacher, a doctor, and other people who benefit the community as heroes as well?

The concept of hero should be revised in line with the country's development progress. All people doing good jobs or helping the country's development could be regarded as today's heroes.

I even consider my maid servants as heroes because they have helped me reach my present career. They help run all of the household activities that I cannot do by myself.

Adrina, 37, an activist: What is a hero? What will we see in a hero? Things have changed. In the past, people struggled for liberty, to free themselves from the colonial government. Now we have gained that freedom.

But are we really free?

Today, we still struggle for freedom -- social, economic and political freedom. Everyone who struggles for that, including students who take to the streets, can be called heroes. One does not necessarily have to be a public figure to become a hero. A housewife can be a hero, too. Women who try to free themselves from economic and social oppression are heroes. We don't struggle physically anymore. We are in a war against the "invisible", like the oppressions I have mentioned.

Hilman Hariwijaya, or Lupus, 30, script supervisor for the Indosiar television station and a noted author of story books for teenagers: A hero is a person who can motivate others to do good things. If I get stuck, or I feel bored and then there is someone who can motivate me to work, someone who can revitalize me and give me enthusiasm, I consider such a person a hero. There are many heroes around us.

Heroes do not need any medals. What is important is not the medal, but the fact that they have done something, which is meaningful for other people. The legitimization of heroes might move people to become heroes because of the rewards.

I remember once, a number of rich people came to me and asked me to join them in a project for children. But they said they would only work if this was covered by the news. I withdrew myself from the project.

There are many fake heroes. What's the point of doing good things just to become a hero because there is some kind of reward behind it?

I have a friend who is a first-year university student. She likes to tell stories to children. She is moved by the condition of street children in a red-district area, who are polluted by the surrounding environment. She teaches the boys how to read and brings them Bobo (a children's magazine) and books. She does not give up even though sometimes the boys act rudely to her.

Do you know what happened when she once tried to raise funds from an organization who claims to have a mission to raise the public interest in reading? They did not give a damn for what my friend is doing.

We have many heroes who are not known to the public. And many of them are young people.

Cathelea Sumirat, 22, student of University Indonesia and an NGO volunteer: A hero is a person who has given something for a lot of people. A hero is a person who is moved to act if he or she sees something wrong in society. But there should not be any ulterior motive behind the action, such as a bid for popularity.

Pierre Roland, 16, a first year student of SMA 3, model, actor: A hero? Mmm... Wait. Let me think.... A hero is a person who renders the country many services. Before we gained our independence, people fought for liberty. Now, we have a different focus, it is the development.

There are young people who become heroes. For example, when there are student brawls, those who are not involved in the fight are ... well, in a way, they are heroes because they can stay away from bad things. They are heroes for themselves. Heroes are those who act positively and who are able to achieve something in their life.

Marisa Anindya, 15, first year student of SMA 8 and member of the school's basket team: A hero is a person who can become a role model. They include leaders who can mobilize a force to fight for the truth. But there are also heroes in our daily life. For example, certain teachers. In school, for example, when a student is accused of doing something wrong, there are teachers who see that student from one side only. But some teachers see the case objectively, from a broader point of view. They even give the student a chance to prove that they are wrong. The teachers are wise.

There are also heroes among my friends, but they are "little heroes". For example, yesterday, when I was in the bus, I saw a student gave her seat to a middle-aged woman who was carrying a lot of stuff. That student can be called a hero.

If students play basketball to promote the school's reputation they can be called a hero. But if they play because of they want to make a bet, they are not heroes.(sim/raw)