Hundreds of Millennials Join the Exploration of Heroic Ships in Riau

Representing the Minister of Social Affairs, Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Empowerment Arif Nahari revealed the reasons for the 2019 JKK being held in the Riau Archipelago.

"Because Riau Archipelago is a reflection of an archipelagic country that has 2,000 islands. As much as 95 percent of its territory consists of sea and 5 percent of land. As well as being the front gate of Indonesia which borders neighboring countries, which has 3 national heroes," said Arif, Pangkal Pinang, Wednesday (23/10/2019).

This event is part of the commemoration of Hero's Day organized by the Minister of Social Affairs. Carrying the theme "I am a Hero of Today".

As the ceremonial inspector, Arif said in his speech that the 2019 JKK event was a strategic activity in instilling and inheriting heroic values ​​between generations. "Internalization of the value of heroism is important for maintaining the nation's existence in increasingly fierce global competition amid the rush of science and technology in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era," he said.

Quoting the Minister of Social's written remarks, Arif stated, the three heroes from the Riau Archipelago Province were Raja Ali Haji who was famous for his Gurindam Dua Belas and was nicknamed the Father of the Indonesian Language. Second, Raja Haji Fisabillah is a legendary figure in the struggle of the Malay Kingdom who managed to repel the Dutch troops from Riau waters.

Then, the third is Sultan Mahmud Riayat Syah whose name is immortalized as the name of the international airport in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Archipelago. Sultan Mahmud is famous for his maritime guerrilla warfare.

Quoting the Minister of Social Affairs, Arif stated, from the brief history of the struggle of the three National Heroes, it is necessary to realize that the independence we are enjoying today cannot be separated from the struggles of the heroes. "These heroes are not centered in one area, but come from various regions that are the glue that binds the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," said Arif.

The values ​​of the struggle and sacrifice of these heroes, he said, should be preserved by imitating their struggle and sacrifice, one of which is through the 2019 JKK event.

The 2019 JKK which was held on 23-25 ​​October 2019 used the KRI Banda Aceh 593, involving 500 participants. They consisted of students, scouts, orphanages, youth organizations and social pillars (Karang Taruna, Tagana, TKSK, PSM) originating from Tanjung Pinang, Batam and Bintan.