Accompanied By His Wife And Children, Ganjar Also Visits Prince Diponegoro's Grave: Central Java, Yogya And Makassar Have Historical Ties

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo made a pilgrimage to the National Heroes Cemetery Prince Diponegoro. He was accompanied by his wife Siti Atiqoh Supriyanti and his son Muhammad Zinedine Alam Ganjar.

"Today, I am happy with my wife and children when I pass on Jalan Diponegoro exactly. Thank God I was able to visit the place," said Ganjar after the pilgrimage, May 7, according to his written statement.

Ganjar said there were many values of struggle and leadership that could be imitated from the figure of Prince Diponegoro, especially in fighting the Dutch colonialists.

Ganjar also said that there are historical ties between Central Java, DI Yogyakarta and Makassar. This can be seen from the robes left by Prince Diponegoro and the chairs that contained the scratch marks of Prince Diponegoro who were framed during negotiations with the Dutch which are kept in the Diponegoro Service Room Museum, Magelang, Central Java.

"A value of struggle. There is nothing else. His fighting spirit against the Dutch was extraordinary. Central Java, Yogyakarta, Makassar in this context have historical ties," said Ganjar.

"Including us in Magelang, where Prince Diponegoro's robe is there, the chair there is scratched by his nails, it's his enthusiasm in fighting the invaders. This is what makes us the younger generation not easily give up on colonialism in any form," continued Ganjar .

Prince Diponegoro was born in the Sultanate of Yogyakarta on November 11, 1785. His father was Sultan Hamengkubowono III and his mother RA Mangkarawiti came from Pacitan.

Prince Diponegoro is famous for his leadership in the Diponegoro War or the Java War which lasted from 1825 to 1830.

Meanwhile, Raden Bekel Surakso Dipo Hamsah Amsah as wareng or the fifth generation grandson of Prince Diponegoro who accompanied Ganjar on the pilgrimage said he was happy with Ganjar's arrival as well as a gathering place.

The reason is, Kodam IV Diponegoro, which is headquartered in Semarang, Central Java, almost every year makes a pilgrimage to the grave of Prince Diponegoro.

"I represent a large family, thank you for coming, for taking the time and opportunity to open a relationship. I hope he is always healthy with his family, everything is successful and smooth," said Hamsah.