Today's Heroes No Longer Bring Sharp Bamboo, Puan: They Are Armed With Ideas, Solutions And Technological Expertise

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs. Maharani (Photo of the House of Representatives Doc)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the House of Representatives I (DPR RI) Puan Maharani invites all Indonesian people to remember the services of the heroes who died for the independence of the nation. He also said that Indonesia now needs many heroes of the era of progress.

"Let's remember the services of the heroes who have dedicated their lives to the independence and welfare of the Indonesian nation. Without them, we cannot be like today as a country that has freedom," said Puan in a written statement during the Commemoration of Heroes' Day, Wednesday, November 10.

Puan also attended the Hero's Day commemoration ceremony at the Kalibata Heroes Night Park (TMP), Jakarta, which was led by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). He then touched on the heroes of the era of progress.

"Now Indonesia needs more and more heroes of today, heroes of the era of progress. Modern heroes who do not carry sharp bamboo, but are armed with Indonesian national values and produce works that are worldwide," said Puan.

For her, the heroes of the era of progress are people who can maximize the doors of opportunity that are now wide open. Puan said that the heroes of the era of progress were those who fought not only for their own interests. "But also for the benefit of the community at large, for the benefit of the nation and state and even for the good of the world," she said.

In the present, said Puan, every Indonesian can and should be a hero of the era of progress. Of course, by continuing to hold on to national values, namely values that are rooted in Pancasila, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.

"Indonesian health workers, who for the past two years have been fighting to save the lives of the Indonesian people from the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are heroes of the era of progress," said Puan.

The health workers are said to have shown an extraordinary spirit of hard work and humanity by devoting their lives to the safety of the nation. According to Puan, the role of health workers in Indonesia's success in overcoming the pandemic is very large.

"The hard work of health workers during the pandemic is an important part of Indonesia's success in overcoming the impact of COVID-19 which has also received world recognition," she said.

Puan also mentioned the Indonesian Thomas Cup Team who won the championship. The Thomas Cup team is said to have succeeded in bringing pride to the nation after Indonesia had not won the world's prestigious badminton event for a long time.

“The Indonesian Thomas Cup team, who recently won the Thomas Cup after a 19-year title drought, are heroes of Indonesia's era of progress. They showed an extraordinary spirit of mutual cooperation to win the Thomas Cup," said Puan.

The Thomas Cup Indonesia team in question is not just players. Puan said, starting from athletes, coaches, doctors, to members of the official team, they are heroes of the era of progress through their respective roles.

"Their victory is admired by the world community, and is a source of inspiration for all of us," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Furthermore, Puan said Indonesia needs heroes in the era of progress in the environmental field. Because caring for the nature of the archipelago which is so rich is part of national values.

"There is no Indonesia without earth, water, air and natural resources contained in it. In this case, Indonesia has targeted net-zero emissions in 2060 or earlier. Of course we all need to work together to become environmental heroes in realizing the shared dream,” said Puan.

The grandson of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia Bung Karno also assessed that Indonesia also needs heroes in the era of progress in the digital technology sector. Moreover, said Puan, Indonesia is now increasingly known as the birthplace of new unicorns or digital applications that are benchmarks for the digital world in various countries.

"Even in the digital sector, the opportunities are very wide open for Indonesian youth, including younger siblings who are still in college to become today's heroes," she said.

Puan added that technological advances open up opportunities for today's youth to become national heroes. For this reason, young groups must be able to take advantage of every potential they have. "No need for sharp bamboo, but armed with ideas, solutions, and technological expertise that are rooted in our own national identity," concluded Puan.