Besides wearing fighter costumes, city officials are also required to wear a red and white pin during working hours.
Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - Surabaya city administration officials in East Java are required to wear fighter costumes for the commemoration of Heroes` Day on November 10.

The city administration`s spokesperson, Nanis Chairani, said here on Wednesday the call was made to instill patriotism among civil servants.

"Tomorrow, all civil servants must wear clothes like those worn by fighters during the independence struggle. The call is made in line with the appeal of the Surabaya city mayor," she said.

A fierce battle with British forces occurred in the city on November 10, 1945, a date that has been designated as National Heroes` Day.

"For this year, the order is only effective for one day instead of two days like last year," she said.

She said there would be no sanctions for those who failed to do it but she hoped all officials would adhere to it as it was for the memory of Surabayans who fought fiercely against the British forces.

"If no big battle had occurred in Surabaya back then, there would certainly be no heroes` day," she said.

Besides wearing fighter costumes, city officials are also required to wear a red and white pin during working hours.

"On November 10, people are required to raise the red and white flag full mast from 6am to 6pm," she said.

To instill patriotism government and private offices were also required to turn on patriotic music during working hours.

A minute of silence would be observed across the city at 8.15am while cars would sound their horns, churches their bells and mosques their drums.

"Hopefully, the program can somewhat restore the people`s patriotism," she said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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