The morning of November 10, 2025, dawned with quiet dignity across the Papua region. From the bustling coastal capital of Jayapura to the mist-covered highlands of Wamena, thousands of people gathered in open fields, school courtyards, and government yards to commemorate Indonesia’s 80th National Heroes Day. In every province—Papua, Papua Tengah (Central Papua), Papua Selatan (South Papua), Papua Pegunungan (Highland Papua), Papua Barat Daya (Southwest Papua), and Papua Barat (West Papua)—the red and white flags fluttered against the mountain wind, marking a moment of collective remembrance.
The annual commemoration is deeply symbolic for Papuans. It is not only a day to honor national heroes who sacrificed their lives for Indonesia’s independence but also a moment to reaffirm the nation’s unity amid the archipelago’s cultural and geographical diversity. In Papua—where issues of nationalism and separatism have often intersected with the struggle for development—the ceremony carried profound meaning. It reminded people that the journey toward peace and prosperity must stand upon the shared identity of being Indonesian.
From schoolchildren reciting patriotic poems to veterans wearing faded uniforms adorned with medals of honor, the day unfolded as a living tableau of Indonesia’s enduring spirit. The national anthem, Indonesia Raya, echoed through valleys and coastal towns, bringing together a diverse people under one red-and-white banner.
A United Message from the Leaders of Papua
Across the region, provincial and regency leaders took part in ceremonies and delivered powerful messages about unity, nationalism, and service. In Jayapura, Governor of Papua Mathius D. Fakhiri presided over the provincial Heroes Day ceremony and urged civil servants to work with sincerity and integrity. As reported by Papua.go.id, Fakhiri emphasized that the legacy of Indonesia’s heroes must continue through honest governance and public service. “The fight of our heroes was not only to free us from colonialism,” he said, “but also to remind us that true independence comes when we serve our people with loyalty and selflessness.”
In Papua Barat, former governor Dominggus Mandacan delivered a similar message in Manokwari. Speaking to hundreds of civil servants, teachers, and youth representatives, he reminded them that the “flame of struggle” must never fade in Papua. According to Papua Dalam Berita, Mandacan declared, “Papua’s progress depends on our unity as Indonesians. When we stand together, no challenge—political, economic, or social—can divide us.”
These statements reflected a strong national tone. Under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, the central government has continued to encourage regional leaders to foster a sense of unity while addressing Papua’s economic and educational disparities. The spirit of Heroes Day thus became a powerful reminder that Indonesia’s strength lies not in uniformity, but in the shared commitment of its diverse people to one nation and one destiny.
The Call for Young Papuans to Uphold Nationalism
For many in Papua, this year’s Heroes Day was not just about reflection but renewal. Several events across the region placed young people at the center of the narrative. In Jayapura, the Barisan Merah Putih (BMP) and local universities organized youth seminars and cultural festivals under the theme “Be the Hero of Today.”
According to RMOL Papua, Max Abner Ohee, a leader of BMP and member of the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP), delivered a stirring message: “Our heroes fought against colonial powers. Today, we must fight ignorance, poverty, and corruption—the enemies that hold us back.” He called on the young generation to use education, innovation, and technology to uplift their communities, instead of being swayed by disunity or separatist propaganda.
Max Abner Ohee led a socialization event about the “Four Pillars of Nationality”—Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, NKRI, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. Quoted by Papua Terkini, he urged Papuan youth to learn from the selflessness of national heroes. “The younger generation must realize that our freedom was built on sacrifice,” he said. “We cannot let separatist ideas erase the very foundation our heroes fought for.”
These initiatives echoed the broader vision of fostering “modern patriotism” among Papuan youth—a form of heroism defined not by the battlefield, but by courage in defending unity, education, and progress.
Local Ceremonies: Honoring Sacrifice, Building Togetherness
Across all corners of Papua, ceremonies were conducted with solemn grace. In Jayapura Regency, Wakapolda Papua Brigjen Pol. Faizal Ramadhani led the ceremony attended by hundreds of officers. Quoted by WartaPlus, he reminded that the best way to honor the heroes is by living their values in daily life. “We are all inheritors of their struggle,” he said. “To maintain peace and protect the unity of our Republic is the greatest tribute we can give.”
The Department of Social Affairs in Jayapura Regency also distributed food packages to families of fallen heroes—a small but meaningful gesture of gratitude for the sacrifices of those who defended the nation.
Further west, in Biak Numfor, Regent Herry Ario Naap visited veterans and school children, narrating stories of Papua’s contribution to the independence struggle. “Every generation must remember,” he told students, “that the red-and-white flag flying above our schools was raised through sacrifice.” His message resonated deeply among the youth, many of whom see the new national development programs as an extension of that same spirit of struggle.
In Boven Digoel, historically known as the exile site for Indonesia’s early nationalists, Regent Roni Omba delivered an emotional address urging citizens to carry forward the heroes’ struggle—not through weapons, but through knowledge, productivity, and unity.
The Role of Institutions in Preserving Heroic Values
Government institutions across Papua also used the occasion to strengthen their commitment to public service and integrity. The Papua provincial government called on all civil servants to embody the spirit of heroism in their duties, emphasizing the need for loyalty, discipline, and empathy in serving the people.
The Regional Papua Tengah Police held a formal Heroes Day ceremony in Nabire, where Deputy Chief Kombes Pol Muhajir reminded officers that protecting public peace is part of their patriotic duty. “Separatism and conflict bring nothing but suffering,” he declared. “True heroism is found in protecting lives and building harmony.”
In Sorong Selatan, police officers and naval personnel conducted a “sea pilgrimage,” scattering flower petals into the ocean to honor maritime heroes who had safeguarded Indonesia’s sovereignty. The solemn ritual, reported by regional radio RRI Papua Barat, symbolized not only remembrance but also the unbroken link between the nation’s past sacrifices and its current mission to protect its unity.
Modern Heroism in a Changing Papua
As Indonesia advances into the modern era, the meaning of heroism continues to evolve. In Papua, a new wave of local heroes has emerged—not soldiers or politicians, but teachers, doctors, social workers, and digital innovators who dedicate their lives to uplifting their communities.
During this year’s commemoration, several youth organizations launched online campaigns sharing inspiring stories of local educators and volunteers working in remote areas. “In the digital age, our weapons are knowledge and creativity,” said Andi Rumadas, a youth activist from Timika. “We fight ignorance and poverty with education, not division.”
A similar sentiment was shared by a legislator from Papua Tengah, quoted by Tribun Papua Tengah, who encouraged young Papuans to embrace independence and self-reliance. “Being a modern hero means being able to stand on your own feet—building small businesses, creating innovations, and using education to empower others,” he said.
Reaffirming Unity Under the Spirit of Pancasila
The unifying message of this year’s commemoration was clear: Papua’s future is inseparable from Indonesia’s future. Every speech, parade, and prayer reinforced the shared belief that heroism means standing together as one nation.
Vice Governor Ones Pahabol of Papua Pegunungan stated that the spirit of heroism must accelerate the development of mountainous regions and help bridge inequality. “The struggle today is no longer on the battlefield,” he said. “It is in how we educate our children, preserve peace, and improve our people’s welfare.”
Under President Prabowo Subianto, the government continues to promote inclusive development and national integration in Papua. The Heroes Day celebrations in 2025, therefore, symbolized more than remembrance—they marked a living testament to unity, resilience, and loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia.
Conclusion
As the sun set over the forests and coastlines of Papua, the Heroes Day ceremonies drew to a close, but their message lingered. The torch of heroism, once carried by freedom fighters, now passes to a new generation tasked with building, not battling.
Papua’s commemoration of the 80th National Heroes Day reminded every Indonesian that unity is not merely a political ideal—it is a sacred inheritance. Heroism is not measured in the wars we fight but in the peace we sustain; not in the divisions we create but in the bridges we build.
From Jayapura to Nabire, from Wamena to Sorong, the people of Papua have once again shown that despite the challenges, the red-and-white flag still flies proudly in their hearts. For the Papuans of today, the most courageous act is to remain steadfast as part of a united Indonesia—an act of heroism that continues the unfinished story of the nation’s freedom.