Pagerejo Residents Demand Formation of Research Team for Sultan HB II's Hero Title

Efforts to nominate Sultan Hamengku Buwono II (HB II) for the title of National Hero continue unabated, now entering a new phase with the submission of an Academic Manuscript to the Wonosobo Regency Social Service and Central Java. The Academic Manuscript, compiled comprehensively to support the nomination of this most steadfast Yogyakarta king in rejecting foreign interventions, was handed over today, Thursday (2 April 2026). This step forms part of the administrative procedure to champion the honour of the ruler known as RM Sundoro.

Sultan HB II is recorded in the pages of history as a leader with a firm and non-cooperative stance towards foreign powers, from the VOC, Daendels, to Raffles. Unlike a conciliatory diplomatic style, HB II chose the path of physical and symbolic resistance to safeguard the sovereignty and dignity of the nation.

Key points of his heroism include resistance against Daendels and Raffles. Sultan HB II rejected ceremonial rules that demeaned the king’s dignity and independently strengthened military defences.

Due to his hardline stance, he endured exile three times (to Penang and Ambon), yet never submitted to the colonisers. Beyond military efforts, HB II resisted through literary works such as Serat Suryaraja and the construction of defensive infrastructure like Baluwarti Fort.

Although the academic manuscript is complete, a wave of aspirations has emerged from the community on the slopes of Mount Sindoro, particularly in Pagarejo Village, Wonosobo. Local residents, who have strong ties through traditions like Nyadaran 500 Tenong and Ruwat Laku, are now demanding concrete action from the Wonosobo Regency Government.

Residents are urging the Regent and Wonosobo DPRD to immediately form the Research and Study Team for Regional Hero Titles (TP2GD). The Research and Study Team for Hero Titles (TP2G) is an expert team tasked with researching, reviewing, and verifying nominations for National Hero candidates. TP2G operates at both central and regional levels (TP2GD). This is considered urgent so that the verification process for the academic manuscript at the local level can be legally validated before submission to the central level.

“The response from the residents is very enthusiastic, and they hope that he (Sultan HB II) will soon be awarded the national hero title. We hope that all parties can promptly fulfil the residents’ aspirations,” explained Tuwat, Secretary of Pagarejo Village.

Additionally, residents’ sentiments are also directed towards the discourse on naming Jalan RM Sundoro. To date, the determination of this street name lacks a permanent legal umbrella in the form of a Regional Regulation (Perda). Residents view the delay in establishing the Perda for this street name as indicative of the local government’s lack of priority in preserving the historical traces of the Sultan in Wonosobo land.

Fajar Bagoes Poetranto, Chairman of the Vasatii Socaning Lokika Foundation and representative of the Sultan HB II lineage, stated that this support is not merely an administrative matter, but an effort to preserve national identity.

“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,” said Fajar.

This academic manuscript was compiled to legally prove that Sultan HB II meets all the requirements for National Hero, including authentic evidence that he never betrayed the nation, but rather became a victim of colonial political policies.

The academic manuscript was submitted today to Wonosobo Regent Afif Nurhidayat, Head of the Social Service and Village Community Empowerment (Dinsos PMD), Harti, and Central Java Social Service Head, Imam Maskur.

“With the submission of the Academic Manuscript and Biography of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono II, we hope that the TP2GD will be formed immediately. This aligns with the views of experts and what was conveyed by Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo regarding the three important aspects of nominating a National Hero title,” explained Fajar.

Meanwhile, Central Java Social Service Head Imam Maskur stated that the Central Java Provincial Government fully supports the plan to nominate Sultan Hamengkubuwono II or Raden Mas Sundoro as a National Hero through the Wonosobo Regency channel.

“Great hopes are placed on this nomination meeting all administrative and substantive criteria, given his track record of strong anti-colonialism since childhood. Besides his tenacity in fighting colonisers, Sultan Hamengkubuwono II is also known as an innovative king and cultural preserver who left many monumental works for the nation,” explained Imam.

The recent national seminar serves as an important step to gather authentic data and deeply discuss the details of the sultan’s struggles. Through this forum, the academic manuscript is strengthened to gain broad support from various community elements as a requirement for administrative completeness.

With education through this seminar, the public is expected to better understand the values of his heroism, thereby providing solid moral support in the nomination process.

“Regarding technical procedures, all seminar outcomes will be summarised in an integrated minutes document with other nomination files. This document will then be sent to the Wonosobo Regency Social Service for review by the regency-level TP2GD and to obtain the Regent’s recommendation,” stated Imam.

Once that stage is complete, the files will be forwarded to the provincial level for follow-up through the Central Java TP2GD session to obtain the Governor’s recommendation. All parties hope this lengthy process runs smoothly to give due honour to the services of Sultan Hamengkubuwono II.

With the submission of this Academic Manuscript to the Wonosobo Regent and Social Service, it is hoped that the local government will promptly respond by forming the research team and legalising the name Jalan RM Sundoro as a tangible form of respect for the figure of the “Builder King.”

“Now, the Sultan Hamengkubuwono II lineage and Pagerejo residents await the seriousness of the title selection team.”