Prabowo Visits Grandfather's Grave in Banyumas
President Prabowo Subianto paid a visit to the grave of Margono Djojohadikoesoemo in Banyumas, Central Java, on Tuesday, 28 April 2026. Margono was the founder of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) and also Prabowo’s grandfather.
The grave of Margono is located in the Dawuhan Cemetery complex in Banyumas. Prabowo’s presence to pay respects serves as a form of honour to the family as well as appreciation for the services of the nation’s predecessors, as stated in the explanation from the Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom RI).
According to the same statement, a number of residents welcomed Prabowo’s arrival at the location. They shook hands and offered prayers for the Chairman of the Gerindra Party.
Prabowo’s visit to his ancestor’s grave took place as part of the President’s out-of-town visits. On the same day, the former Minister of Defence visited the Environmentally Based Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST BLE) in Banyumas.
He inspected the waste processing system there, which is capable of processing plastic waste into plastic pellets, paving blocks, and roof tiles.
Citing esi.kemdikbud.go.id, Raden Mas Margono Djojohadikoesoemo was the son of an Assistant Wedana in the Banyumas region, Central Java. Tracing his family lineage, Margono was a great-grandson of Raden Tumenggung Banyak Lebar, better known as Panglima Banyakwide, a loyal servant of Prince Diponegoro.
Margono was a priyayi born in Purbalingga, Central Java, on 16 May 1894. At that time, he was one of the fortunate indigenous people who could study at an official educational institution.
In 1915, Margono married Siti Katoemi Wirodihardjo and they had five children: Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo, Soekartini Djojohadikusumo, Miniati Djojohadikoesoemo, Soebianto Djojohadikoesoemo, and Soejono Djojohadikoesoemo. Margono’s eldest child, Soemitro, was the father of President Prabowo Subianto.
Margono served in the Department of Economic Affairs until Indonesia was occupied by Japan in 1942. Once Indonesia gained independence on 17 August 1945, he was entrusted with becoming the Chairman of the Temporary Supreme Advisory Council (DPAS), whose role was to assist in providing advice to the president and vice president.
Citing dinarpus.banyumaskab.go.id, as Chairman of the DPAS, Margono proposed the establishment of a central bank or circulation bank, as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution. Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta then mandated him to prepare the formation of the Indonesian State Central Bank (Bank Sirkulasi) on 16 September 1945.
On 19 September 1945, the Council of Ministers’ meeting decided to establish a state-owned bank to function as a circulation bank. Finally, on 15 July 1946, Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) Number 2 of 1946 on the Establishment of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) was issued.
In line with that, Margono was appointed as the Managing Director of BNI. In 1970, the bank’s legal status was elevated to a limited liability company. Margono passed away on 25 July 1978, at which time Prabowo was 26 years old.