SEAToday.com, Jakarta – Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka led the 2024 National Pilgrimage Ceremony for Heroes’ Day at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery (TMP) in Jakarta on Sunday (11/10). Vice President Gibran arrived at TMP Kalibata at 7:50 AM local time, where he was greeted by Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf.

The ceremony commenced with a tribute to the fallen heroes, led by Flight Colonel Lucky Indrawan as the ceremony commander. A solemn minute of silence followed, with sirens sounding to honor the Battle of November 10, 1945, in Surabaya. As the ceremony inspector, Vice President Gibran led the moment of silence, announcing, “The moment of silence has begun.”

He then laid a wreath, and prayers for the departed heroes were read by Kamaruddin Amin, Director General of Islamic Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The ceremony concluded with a final tribute to the heroes, followed by a flower-sowing ritual at the graves of several national figures, including former President B.J. Habibie, his wife Hasri Ainun Habibie, Ani Yudhoyono, and former Vice Presidents Adam Malik, Umar Wirahadikusumah, and Soedharmono.

The ceremony was attended by numerous state officials, including Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, Transmigration Minister Iftitah Sulaiman, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi, Minister of ATR/Head of BPN Nusron Wahid, Presidential Special Advisor for Political and Security Affairs Wiranto, Head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) M. Herindra, and Head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency Budiman Sudjatmiko.

Other attendees included Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan, Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti, Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesh, Deputy Minister of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions Ariza Patria, and Presidential Special Envoy for Young Generation and Art Workers Raffi Ahmad.