Veterans' welfare focus of Heroes Day

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

National Heroes Day, dedicated to independence war fighters, was celebrated in a different mood across the country Saturday, with increasing calls for the improvement of veterans' welfare.

In Jakarta, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla accompanied by a number of cabinet ministers commemorated Heroes Day at Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta.

Both leaders also placed flowers at the graves of national heroes, including former vice presidents Sudharmono and Umar Wirahadikusumah and former foreign minister Roeslan Abdulgani.

Meanwhile, in waters off of North Jakarta, Speaker of the House of Representatives Agung Laksono led a Heroes Day commemoration aboard the KRI Teluk Mandar warship.

"The commemoration is to honor our heroes for their sacrifice for our independence," Agung said as quoted by Antara

"Thus, the young generation should continue their struggle in order to provide prosperity to the people," he told the ceremony, which was also attended by Deputy Navy Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Didi Heru.

Also in Jakarta, hundreds of war veterans attended a half-day ceremony at the auditorium of Plaza Semanggi, a luxurious shopping mall in Central Jakarta.

"Veterans do not always live a comfortable life -- many of us are still living below the poverty line," Chairman of the Indonesian War Veterans Association, Lt. Gen. (ret) Rais Abin, told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony.

The association, therefore, called on the government to improve the welfare of the veterans, especially those residing in remote areas.

Abin recalled that it was President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who had made the promise to improve veterans' welfare status by next year.

"We expect so much that the government will fulfill its promise in order to improve the status of the veterans," he said.

A war veteran, Abu Bakar from Jakarta, said that a veteran received only between Rp 500,000 (US$54) and Rp 700,000 ($76) per month from the government.

"I have four children myself and only get Rp 600,000 per month."

In Yogyakarta, Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X said Heroes Day celebration should be the momentum to improve the people's welfare and resolve increasing unemployment in the country.

"The true way to ... (remember our heroes) is to organize spirits to help poor people and promote modest lifestyle," the governor said as quoted by Antara.

He called for introspection among national leaders since many Indonesians still live in poverty.

In Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, hundreds of police and military officers, civil servants and students celebrated Heroes Day in capital Banda Aceh under heavy rain.

A day earlier, children of war fighters and self-described "dissidents" met for the first time ever, to set up the an organization to be called the Communication Forum of the Nation's Children (FSAB).

The Forum director, Suryo Susilo, said FSAB was aimed at restoring nationalism and building the country by increasing respect for different ideologies.

"It is time for us to stop making new conflicts," he said as quoted by detik.com.