Remembering 20 Years Of Death Of Banser Riyanto, Ansor Proposes As National Hero

Banser member, Riyanto (Photo source: jatim.nu.or.id)

JAKARTA - Behind the joy of Christmas celebrations, there is a touching story of a member of the NU Barisan Ansor Multipurpose (Banser) that deserves to be remembered. He is Riyanto, who died in the world due to the Christmas bombing in 2000.

At that time, the late Riyanto helped guard the Eben Haezer Church on Jalan Kartini, Mojokerto City, East Java. Initially, Riyanto and his colleagues were on duty as usual. Patrolling around the church.

However, the situation changed at 20.30 WIB. Exactly when a congregation found two suspicious items at two different locations in a church setting. The church administrators were both worried and panicked. They are worried that the two suspicious objects contain bombs.

The church management then informed the NU Banser members who were on guard. After that, Riyanto took the initiative to open the package in a black bag that appeared to have wires sticking out. He then decided to run as fast as he could while carrying the bomb. However, the bomb in its handle immediately exploded. Riyanto died.

Riyanto's humanitarian action to save hundreds of church congregants attending Christmas mass by carrying bombs away from the church will always be remembered. Riyanto is willing to sacrifice for many people even though he is of different religions.

To commemorate his services, the Head of Branch Manager (PC) of the Ansor Youth Movement (GP) in Mojokerto City, Ahmad Saifulloh, said that his party will discuss the figure of Riyanto who died in the 2000 Christmas bombing as a National Hero.

"There are efforts in that direction (proposing Rianto as a National Hero)," he said, after a pilgrimage to Riyanto's grave in Kelurahan / Sub-district of Pra Soldier Kulon, Mojokerto City, in an official statement quoted on Friday, December 25.

Saifulloh said that efforts to formally propose Riyanto as a hero or to be recognized by the state had become a discourse for the management of PC GP Ansor in Mojokerto City.

"After this we will try to study the series to propose Riyanto as a National Hero which we should appreciate together," he said.

In the eyes of the Ansor youth, Riyanto was a quiet man who didn't talk much but was firm. The late Riyanto was also a reflection of the ideal Banser member.

"Riyanto's figure in our eyes, Riyanto is a quiet man who doesn't talk much but is straightforward. But he is firm. Every command he will carry out immediately without any questions. As long as it does not deviate and does not conflict with Islam," he said.

Dozens of youths from Ansor in Mojokerto City held a national rally and pilgrimage to the grave of this tolerance fighter. The Ansor and Banser members participated in the Apple every December 25 at the Kulon Soldier Field.

Saifulloh said that the ceremony and pilgrimage to Riyanto's grave were his side's efforts to protect and preserve what Riyanto left, namely the struggle to maintain harmony, religious harmony and state.