JAKARTA (10 November 2019) – The Commemorations of Hero’s Day on 10 November 2019 was marked with the ceremony and sow flowers in the National Heroes Cemetery Kalibata, Jakarta. The President Joko Widodo was attended as the ceremonial inspector.

In his speech, the President persuaded all of the element to remember all the heroes’ service. He reminded that they had fought, retook and defended the independence.

Now, it was our responsibility as the next generation to fill the independence which had been reached by the heroes.

“Big Nation is a nation who appreciates and respect their hero’s services. Let’s continue their fight to realize the reduction of poverty, ignorance, backwardness, discrepancy and many more,” said the President on the Hero’s Day Ceremony in TMPNU Kalibata, Jakarta, Sunday (10/11/2019).

The president was accompanied by the Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin, all of high state officials, Commander of National Army, Police, and Ministerial ranks of Indonesia Onward Cabinet, including the Social Affairs Minister Juliari P. Batubara.

The ceremony was followed by 3.500 participants which came from invitation and three divisions of national army Mantras’ personals. The president put the garland on the TMPNU statue and sow some flowers on several hero’s grave. The Religious Affairs Minister Fahcrul Razi read the prayer at the end of ceremony.

Along with the President’s message, Social Affairs Minister encouraged all of the public element to get heroism spirit and fight to build the country in each of their capability and professions.

“The Tragedy of 10 November 1945 in Surabaya showed on the hero’s spirit which need to keep develop inside every Indonesian people’s heart,” said the Minister.

To the young generations, especially the millennial generations, the Minister Juliari instructed to keep innovative to be the Modern Hero which was suitable with the spirit and theme of Hero’s Day 2019 “I Am the Modern Hero”. According to him, with the innovative thinking and creation, it would whelp achievement and in time, there would be many problems got solved.

“By making ourself as the Modern heroes, it will solve many problems. Therefore, he appealed to all of the elements to address the Hero’s Day not only as the ceremony.

The Social Affairs Minister pointed out that the hero’s spirit was transformed in accordance with the current challenges. In this era, the young generations including millennials could inherit the spirit by doing simple but real action.

“To become a hero, you can start it by having a positive attitude such as be honest, responsible, sincere and not giving up easily. At least you can become the hero of yourself, parents, friends, and your country one day,” said the Minister.

In this time, not only those who raised the weapon and expel invaders who called hero. Young generations, including students could become Modern Heroes by doing small things started from their self, such as: Study, not wasting your trash carelessly, helped the other who need it etc.

“I asked all of you my children, the young generations, lets become the Modern Heroes. Get achievement as high as possible, bring your country to the international so that our country will not be underestimated by the other country,” said the Minister.

The Minister also reminded that in this Hero’s Day 2019, it could be filled with many nationalism-feeling activity and increased your concern, helping those who need it. There were many things which could be done to become the Modern Hero including not spread the Hoax news.

After accompanying the President, the Social Affairs Minister had a friendly talk with the National Hero’s family and the pioneer of independence in the Convention Building Kalibata. On the same opportunity, the Minister also gave the souvenir love rope to them.


Sow the Flower in the Java Sea

The flower ceremony was one of the events in commemoration of 74th Hero’s Day which been held on the deck of KRI Banda Aceh – 593, in the Java Sea. This commemoration was purposed to remind the Battle of 10 November 1945 in defending the independence.

The Secretary of Directorate General of Social Empowerment Arif Nahari pointed out that, this time there were cultural changes where the young generations could inherit the heroism value. Arif persuaded all young generations to keep thinking positively when you did your best for the country.

“What happens now is fight against the situation by positive thinking, fight against it by doing something positive and how to push all of the elements to do the best for the country,” he said.

The Head of Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) Agung Firman Sampurna attended as the ceremony inspector which been accompanied with the Echelon I and II official of the MoSA, National Army and Police, the veteran representatives, students, college students, high achievement youngster, and several public organizations. The honor to the heroes was marked with the prayer and also sowed the flower by the ceremony inspector and been followed by the invitationals.

In 2019, the commemoration of Hero’s Day used the theme of “I Am the Modern Hero”, and followed by the hope for every person to have the heroic spirit and willing to fight in developing the country on each of their capabilities and profession.

The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Directorate of Social Empowerment had prepared many events to commemorate the Hero’s Day. It was started by: Explore the Heroic Ship; Tourist Pilgrimage; Historical Tour, National Heroes Award; National Pilgrimage Ceremony, Flower Ceremony on the Sea; Friendly Talk with Wakauri, Pioneer of Independence, Widow/Widower of Independence pioneer; Heroes Goes to School.

The Millennials became the main target in the prepared events which suited to the theme “I Am the Modern Hero”. This was the effort from the Ministry of Social Affairs to plant the heroic value so that it could grow up in every Indonesian people especially the millennial generations.


Acting Head of Public Relations Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs
Sonny W Manalu