Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received Culture Minister Fadli Zon at the Merdeka Palace on Wednesday to review official recommendations for conferring National Hero status. The meeting, which was detailed by the Cabinet Secretariat, centers on conferring National Hero status upon several figures ahead of Heroes’ Day on November 10.
Fadli submitted the formal proposals on behalf of the Council for Titles, Decorations, and Honors, known as the GTK. Culture Minister Fadli Zon submitted recommendations for National Hero status to President Prabowo Subianto ahead of Heroes’ Day 2026. The state honors recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and contributions to Indonesia’s history and struggle. The session, held in Central Jakarta on 4 November 2026, marked a mandatory step in the official nomination process for the state awards.
The Multi-Tiered Vetting Process Behind State Honors
The vetting process begins at the grassroots level with the Regional Title Research and Assessment Team, or TP2GD, operating at both regency or municipal and provincial tiers.
Once regional bodies vet the candidate files, the documentation moves upward to the central research and assessment team, known as TP2GP, anchored within the Ministry of Social Affairs. Only after surviving this administrative sieve do the findings reach a full session of the GTK Council for final deliberation before submission to the head of state.
Key Officials Present at the Merdeka Palace Meeting
The gathering at the presidential compound brought together key administrative figures. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi attended alongside Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya. Kompas.com noted that Lieutenant Colonel Teddy has recently drawn public attention due to not being seen at several recent events or meetings with Prabowo.
The Cabinet Secretariat emphasized that the ongoing evaluation mechanism serves a dual purpose for the administration. Beyond honoring individual legacies, the process acts as a formal instrument to preserve public respect for the historical trajectory of Indonesia’s national struggle. Regarding the purpose of the awards, the Cabinet Secretariat stated: And to maintain respect for the history of Indonesia’s struggle.
