Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Yuddy Chrisnandi held a commemoration ceremony aboard the Indonesian Ship Banda Aceh at the Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta.
Chrisnandi was accompanied by his wife Velly Elvira and several veterans of the Indonesian Navy.
"During President Joko Widodos leadership, Indonesia aims to transform itself into a global maritime axis. Hence, by commemorating National Heroes Day onboard the Indonesian ship, we hope to further develop Indonesia as a maritime nation whose independence was achieved by its heroes in the past," Chrisnandi affirmed in a speech during the ceremony.
He emphasized that the true essence of a hero is an individual who demonstrated a sense of patriotism, sacrifice, and nationalism to develop the nation.
Chrisnandi urged the civil servants to utilize the momentum of National Heroes Day to improve their capacity and implement the mandate to the best of their abilities.
Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also led the National Heroes Day commemoration ceremony at the Domestic Governance Institute in Jatinangor, West Java Province.
During his speech, Kumolo said the civil servants and the people of Indonesia should laud the services of the national heroes to gain independence.
"It is highly appropriate for the Indonesian people to commemorate National Heroes Day to honor the services of our heroes to gain independence," he added.
He urged the civil servants to act as role models to continue providing service and support to develop the nation.
"It is important for the civil servants to have willpower in maintaining and developing Indonesia. We should continue the struggle of past Indonesian heroes," Kumolo emphasized.
Meanwhile, President Widodo commemorated the Indonesian Heroes Day in Surabaya City of East Java Province.
Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, accompanied by Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa and several national veterans, also commemorated the Indonesian Heroes Day at the National Heroes Cemetery Park in Kalibata, South Jakarta.
The Communication and Informatics Ministry appealed to the public to observe 15 minutes of silence from 8:15 a.m. local time to honor the services of all national heroes.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
