No heroes from East Timor

JAKARTA (JP): The central government is awaiting recommendations from East Timor officials of local figures who deserve the status of national hero.

"We cannot decide on any national hero from East Timor without recommendations from the local government," Ali Amran of the Social Affairs Ministry, which is in charge of selecting national heroes, said.

The central government has received 27 names from across the country in nomination for the title of national hero this year, but many of those failed to meet the requirements, Antara reported.

According to statistics at the ministry, Indonesia now has 99 national heroes from 18 of the 27 provinces. Those which do not have a national hero are Bengkulu, Riau, West Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara and East Timor. (pan)