At a national gathering on Friday, Iskandar highlighted that Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, fought for and sacrificed his life for the values of unity, diversity, brotherhood, and humanity that Indonesian citizens enjoy today.
"Hence, I am confident that we should initiate the move to propose Gus Dur as a national hero. We hope our aspiration will come true for our nation," he noted in a written statement issued on Saturday.
Although Wahid "does not need national hero status," Iskandar added, the nation needs him as a source of inspiration to continue efforts to realize his ultimate dream of peace and justice for the people.
Iskandar, who heads the National Awakening Party (PKB), said that he and his party are committed to continuing to fight for Wahid's cause by defending the values of unity, diversity, brotherhood, and humanity.
The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the PKB have also stressed that Wahid never violated the Constitution during his 1.5-year presidency, Iskandar highlighted.
Meanwhile, MPR Deputy Speaker Rusdi Kirana, also from the PKB, said the party's faction in parliament advocated revoking MPR Resolution No. II/MPR/2001 on Abdurrahman Wahid's Presidential Accountability.
The resolution included an explicit condemnation of Wahid and sought his removal from office. It was issued on July 23, 2001, in response to Wahid's attempt to dissolve the parliament—a move that was beyond his Constitutional authority.
By absolving the late president, Kirana said the PKB faction would continue advocating for Wahid's recognition as a national hero.
"Although Gus Dur has been a national hero in our hearts, mine included," he added.
During the national gathering, Kirana, as the MPR Deputy Speaker, received a recommendation letter from public and religious figures to confer national hero status on Wahid.
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Translator: Agatha Olivia V, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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