40 Figures Proposed for Indonesian National Hero Title, 53% from Java

The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has proposed 40 figures to receive the title of National Hero.

The proposal documents were submitted by the Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, to the Minister of Culture cum Chairman of the Council for Titles, Awards, and Honors, Fadli Zon, in Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/10/2025). These names are said to have been discussed over the past few years.

"Some have met the requirements five or six years ago, and some were only decided this year. Among them are President Soeharto, President Abdurrahman Wahid, and also Marsinah," Saifullah was quoted as saying by Katadata.co.id.

Of the 40 proposed figures, 21 or 53% are from Java Island, spread across East Java, Central Java, West Java, Jakarta, and Banten. East Java and Central Java provinces dominate with 7 figures each.

Below is a list of the 40 figures proposed to receive the title of National Hero based on their province of origin, compiled from various national media reports:

East Java: 7 figures

• KH. Muhammad Yusuf Hasyim
• Marsinah
• Lieutenant Colonel Moch. Sroedji
• Syaikhona Muhammad Kholil
• KH. Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur)
• KH. Bisri Syansuri
• M. Ali Sastroamidjojo

Central Java: 7 figures

• Lieutenant General (Ret.) Bambang Sugeng
• Major General (Ret.) Dr. Roebiono Kertopati
• H.M. Soeharto
• Dr. Kariadi
• R.M. Bambang Soeprapto Dipokoesoemo
• Basoeki Probowinoto
• Raden Soeprapto

West Java: 4 figures

• KH. Abbas Abdul Jamil
• Marshal (Ret.) R. Suryadi Suryadarma
• Prof. Dr. Mochtar Kusumaatmadja
• KH. Sholeh Iskandar

West Sumatra: 3 figures

• Hajjah Rahmah El Yunusiyyah
• Syekh Sulaiman Ar-Rasuli
• Chatib Sulaiman

Jakarta: 2 figures

• General (Ret.) Ali Sadikin
• Mochamad Moeffreni Moe'min

South Sulawesi: 2 figures

• Andi Makkasau Parenrengi Lawawo
• General (Ret.) M. Jusuf

Gorontalo: 2 figures

• Prof. Dr. Aloei Saboe
• H.B. Jassin

Maluku: 2 figures

• Abdoel Moethalib Sangadji
• Prof. Dr. Gerrit Augustinus Siwabessy

Aceh: 1 figure

• Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Teuku Abdul Hamid Azwar

North Sumatra: 1 figure

• Tuan Rondahaim Saragih

Riau: 1 figure

• Mahmud Marzuki

Lampung: 1 figure

• Mr. Gele Harun

Banten: 1 figure

• KH. Wasyid

West Nusa Tenggara: 1 figure

• Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin

East Nusa Tenggara: 1 figure

• Drs. Franciscus Xaverius Seda

West Sulawesi: 1 figure

• Demmatande

North Sulawesi: 1 figure

• Lieutenant Colonel (Posthumous) Charles Choesj Taulu

Central Sulawesi: 1 figure

• Sayyid Idrus bin Salim Al-Jufri

North Maluku: 1 figure

• Zainal Abidin Syah.