MoSA Visits the City of Heroes to Support Freedom Fighter Families

SURABAYA (November 2, 2024) - In preparation for National Heroes Day 2024, the Ministry of Social Affairs' Dharma Wanita Persatuan hosted a social visit event with hero families in Surabaya and Pasuruan from November 2 to 3, 2024.

During this visit, MoSA also provided wheelchair aid to the family of hero Elli Muntamah (47), wife of Danardono Ariotejo, grandson of hero RMTA Soerjo, and a hearing aid to Ikrar Aulia (67), son of Brigadier General of Indonesian National Armed Force (TNI) H. Hasan Basri.

Fatma Saifullah Yusuf, wife of the Social Affairs Minister and chairman of MoSA Dharma Wanita Persatuan, personally handed over the aid. "I hope this aid is of great benefit because everything we provide is exactly what is required," she remarked in Surabaya on Saturday (November 2, 2024).

Danardono Ariotejo, grandson of hero RMTA Soerjo, currently resides in Sambikerep, Surabaya. Elli, Danardono's wife, is suffering from cervical cancer and is undergoing treatment at the hospital. Therefore, the wheelchair will help improve her mobility and accessibility during treatment.

Raden Soerjo became the first Governor of East Java following Indonesia's independence in 1945. As Governor, he played an important role in preserving stability in East Java during the early challenging days of independence.

Raden Soerjo once stated that it is preferable to be destroyed than colonized again. He had an important role in the battle on November 10, 1945, in Surabaya.

Ikrar Aulia Basri is the son of national hero Brigadier General TNI H. Hasan Basri. Ikrar has lost his hearing as he has become older. The hearing aid provided by MoSA is expected to assist with his daily activities and work.

Brigadier General TNI H. Hasan Basri was also a key figure in education and played an important role in the establishment of Lambung Mangkurat University.

Hasan Basri's heroism is also recognized by the naming of the Ship of the Republic of Indonesia (KRI) Hasan Basri, which served as the command ship during Joint Operation Busur Ambalat-19 for border security under the command of the Naval Combat Group II (Guspurla Koarmada II) based in Surabaya.

Fatma also explained that MoSA not only provided assistive devices but also distributed basic food packages and other support. "I hope this will be beneficial," she added.

According to Government Regulation No. 78 of 2018 on the Requirements, Procedures, and Amount of Continuous Allowances for Fighters, Proclaimers of Independence, and Families of National Heroes, MoSA has disbursed continuous allowances for 2024 to the bank accounts of National Heroes' families as of January 31, 2024, based on Decree No. 02/SK/5.3/PB.06.01/01/2024 dated January 19, 2024, with an amount of IDR 50,000,000 per year for each family.

The recipients are spread across several regions, including DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, and other areas in Indonesia, totalling 88 families.

In addition to the honorarium, MoSA addressed assistive device requests from the Indonesian National Heroes Family Association (IKPNI). There were 53 requests for assistive devices, with 19 requests coming from the Wives of the Signers.