Meeting with Pagerejo Residents, Deputy Social Minister Agus Jabo Priyono Supports Proposal for Sultan HB II as National Hero

The wave of support for campaigning for the National Hero title for Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) II is growing stronger. Deputy Social Minister (Wamensos) Agus Jabo Priyono received representatives from Yayasan Vasiatii Socaning Lokika and the community of Pagerejo Village, Wonosobo Regency, Central Java, at the Ministry of Social Affairs office on Monday (6/4/2026). Their visit was related to the proposal for Hamengku Buwono (HB) II to receive the national hero title. Welcoming this aspiration, Wamensos Agus Jabo provided support to the fighters and national figures to become national heroes. “As a state apparatus, I support anyone who will propose fighters and national figures to become national figures,” said Wamensos Agus Jabo. Although providing support, Wamensos explained that the determinant of the national hero title is not the Ministry of Social Affairs. There are various procedural stages that must be fulfilled for the national hero title proposal. The stages range from proposals at the district level, verification by the Regional Title Research and Assessment Team (TP2GD), submission to the Awards Council, and approval by the president if all requirements are met. “The finalisation of a person or national figure becoming a national hero will later be determined by the Awards Council, but the procedure starts from the city/regency, province,” explained Wamensos. However, for Wamensos, honouring the struggles of heroes is not just about giving titles, but how the Indonesian nation continues their struggles by maintaining the unity and peace of the Indonesian nation. “It’s not just about the title, but we must also continue the struggles of national figures. At a time when the world is experiencing turmoil, quarrels, and disputes, I very much hope that we return to having a national identity,” said Wamensos Agus Jabo. Sultan Hamengkubuwono II was indeed born in that area, on 7 March 1750, from the second consort of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. His childhood with his mother Kanjeng Ratu Kadipaten in the refugee area due to the impact of the war against the VOC suddenly shaped his tough character. The Pagerejo Village community, which has long preserved the historical traces of the king through the Nyadaran Tenongan and Ruwat Laku traditions, is urging the Wonosobo Regent and DPRD to immediately form the Regional Title Research and Assessment Team (TP2GD). The formation of this expert team is considered urgent so that verification of the academic manuscript at the local level can be legally validated before proceeding to the central level. “The response from the residents is very enthusiastic and they hope that he (HB II) will soon receive the national hero title. We hope that all parties can soon fulfil the aspirations of the residents,” explained Tuwat, Secretary of Pagerejo Village. In response, Chairman of Yayasan Vasiatii Socaning Lokika Fajar Bagoes Poetranto explained that the proposal at the regional level has currently been carried out. The submission from the Pagerejo Village community began in January 2024. Currently, they have also submitted the academic manuscript to the Wonosobo Regent in April 2026. Fajar Bagoes Poetranto hopes that the proposal submission can be processed. “The stages of proposing national hero candidates have been carried out in Pagerejo Village in January 2024,” said Fajar Bagoes Poetranto. The National Hero title is one form of appreciation for struggle figures who have defended the nation. Chairman of Yayasan Vasiatii Socaning Lokika as well as representative of the Trah Sultan HB II lineage, Fajar Bagoes Poetranto, emphasised this struggle as an effort to maintain the dignity and identity of the nation on the global stage. “Sri Sultan HB II is an inspirer for the creative industry and national identity in the global era. He is a hero who fought with weapons, pen, and aesthetics,” he stated. Sultan HB II is known as a resilient king who does not compromise with foreign interventions, especially during the Daendels and Raffles eras. “This proposal for the National Hero title is hoped to be completed before the major national holiday this year,” said Fajar Bagoes Poetranto.