"Of course, the designation of Salahuddin Bin Talabuddin along with four other figures as (national) heroes is a special gift for the people of Central Halmahera," district head Edi Langkara said here on Saturday.
The designation of Talabuddin as a national hero is a matter of pride for the people, who have just celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the district, he added.
He asked the public to welcome the national hero status for Talabuddin, who is known to have fought against the Dutch colonizers.
Talabuddin was born in 1874 in Gamia Patani village and died in Ternate city. His resistance against Dutch colonization led to his imprisonment inSawahlunto, Sumatra, from 1918 to 1923, Nusakambangan from 1941 to 1942, and Bovel Digoel in 1943.
Due to his role in the movement against colonial rule in North Maluku, Talabuddin was executed in 1948 in a village in Ternate city. His name was later enshrined at the village.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD informed that President Jokowi has designated Talabuddin as a national hero in a post on Twitter.
Besides Talabuddin, four other figures have been named national heroes: H.R. Soeharto (Central Java), KGPAA Paku Alam VIII (Yogyakarta), Dr. R. Rubini Natawisastra (West Kalimantan), and KH Ahmad Sanusi (West Java).
Indonesians will celebrate Heroes Day on November 10. In 2021, President Widodo acted as the inspector of ceremonies leading the commemoration of Heroes' Day at Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery (TMP) in Jakarta.
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Translator: Abdul F, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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