Sultan Bima XIV Muhammad Salahuddin Designated As National Hero 2025

Sultan Bima XIV Muhammad Salahuddin. BETWEEN/HO-Museum Samparata

MATARAM - The central government appointed Sultan Bima XIV, Muhammad Salahuddin, as a National Hero in 2025.

The news was confirmed by the Head of the Samparata Museum, Dewi Ratna Muchlisa, who is also the grandson of Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin. He said that he had been contacted by the Presidential Military Secretariat (Sesmillres) regarding the decision.

"I received a call from Sesmilpres conveying a message from the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon that Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin passed to become a National Hero," said Dewi in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Antara, Friday, November 7.

He added that the awarding of the title of national hero will coincide with the commemoration of Heroes' Day, at the State Palace, Jakarta, on November 10, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bima Regency Social Service, Tajuddin, confirmed that the proposed title was re-submitted this year and received positive results from the central government.

"We have also received information that the proposal has received approval at the central level," said Tajuddin.

However, the Bima Regency Social Service is still waiting for an official announcement from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos).

The proposal to determine Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin as a national hero himself has gone through a long process of study and verification by various parties.

Sultan Bima XIV, who ruled from 1915 to 1951, is known to have played a major role in the struggle to defend sovereignty and advance the education of the Bima people during the colonial period.

Historical records say that Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin is an important figure in the journey of the Sultanate of Bima on Sumbawa Island, NTB, as well as a figure who encourages the social and cultural progress of his people.

The proposed title of national hero this year was also proposed for a number of other figures, including the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia Suharto, the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), and the female labor activist from Nganjuk, Marsinah.