Nani Wartabone

Nani Wartabone, (born 30 January 1907 - 3 January 1986 at the age of 78 years), were awarded the title of "Indonesian National Hero" in 2003, is the son of Gorontalo and the struggles of the characters located in the province of North Sulawesi. Her struggle began when he founded and became secretary Jong Gorontalo in Surabaya in 1923. Five years later, he became Chairman of the National Party of Indonesia (PNI) Branch Gorontalo.

Three years before the proclamation of Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945, he was with the local community first declared independence Gorontalo, ie on 23 January 1942.

After the army Allied defeated Japan in Asia-Pacific War, Netherlands Gorontalo scorched earth plan that starts at 28 December 1941 to start burning barn-warehouse copra and oil in the Customs and Talumolo.

Leader of the people's resistance

Nani Wartabone and Gorontalo people trying to interfere with Dutch officials to arrest remaining in Gorontalo. On 23 January, starting from the villages on the outskirts of the city of Gorontalo as Suwawa, Kabila and Tamalate, Nani Wartabone and besieged people of Gorontalo move. Detachment Commander at five o'clock dawn Veld Politie WC Romer and some head office is in Gorontalo surrender.

Proclamation of Independence

Finished arrest, Nani leads directly Wartabone flag raising ceremony is accompanied by the song "Indonesia Raya" on page Gorontalo Post Office. The incident took place at 10, and Nani Wartabone as inspector ceremony.

In front of the masses, he made ​​a speech: "On this day, on January 23, 1942, we the people of Indonesia who are here already independent free, loose and occupation of any nation as well. Flags us is Red and White, our national anthem is Indonesia Raya. Dutch government has been taken by the National Government. order to keep law and order. "

In the afternoon, chaired the meeting Nani Wartabone formation 'Shoots Gorontalo Government Leaders' (PPPG) which serves as a People's Representative Council (BPR) and Nani chosen as its chairman.

Four days later, Nani Wartabone mobilize people in a mass meeting in the Land of Big Field Gorontalo. The goal is to maintain the independence that has proclaimed it with any risk.

Japanese master Gorontalo

A month after the "National Independence" in Gorontalo, Japanese troops began landing. On 26 February a Japanese warship headed from Manado anchored in the port of Gorontalo. Nani Wartabone welcomed the Japanese army in the hope their presence will help PPPG. It turns out otherwise, Japan actually prohibits the raising of the flag and demanding citizens willing to submit to Japanese Gorontalo.

Nani Wartabone reject this request. However, because no power against Japan, he then decided to leave the city and return to the village Gorontalo birth Suwawa, with no transfer of sovereignty.

In Suwawa Nani Wartabone start simple life by farming. people in favor of finally Nani Wartabone mass strike so Gorontalo like a ghost town. Seeing this situation, the Japanese launched a defamation through his legs, that Nani Wartabone are inciting people revolted to Japan.

As a result of the defamation, Nani Wartabone finally arrested on 30 December 1943 and brought to Manado. Here, Nani Wartabone suffered various tortures. One of the Japanese torture memories that linger in Gorontalo public until now is, when Nani during the day and night Wartabone planted her entire body except the head on the beach behind the Office of the Governor of North Sulawesi now. Almost daily Wartabone Nani played head waves and sand grains. Nani newly released Japanese Wartabone on 6 June 1945, when the signs of the Japanese defeat of the Allies began to appear.

Jeapan Gets Defeated

Upon surrender to the Allies, the Japanese still respect Nani Wartabone as a leader of the people of Gorontalo. This is evidenced by the submission of Gorontalo government of Japan to Nani Wartabone on 16 August 1945. Since that day the flag was fluttering on earth Gorontalo back after Japan downgraded since 6 June 1942. Surprisingly, after the handover of power, and the people of Gorontalo Wartabone Nani did not know there has been a Proclamation of Independence of Indonesia in Jakarta the next day. They only knew on 28 August 1945.

To strengthen the national government in Gorontalo had just taken over from the hands of the Japanese, Nani Wartabone recruit 500 youths to be used as security and defense forces. They were equipped with weapons captured from Japan and the Netherlands. These troops are trained solely by Nani Wartabone, while centralized training locations in Tabuliti, Suwawa. This region is very strategic, high on a hill surrounded by several small hills, and can monitor the whole city of Gorontalo. In this place also, Gorontalo kings of ancient fortifications build them.

After receiving the news of the proclamation in Jakarta, on 1 September 1945 to form the National Council Nani Wartabone in Gorontalo as a legislative body to assist the head of government. Council consists of 17 members which is made ​​up of the clergy, community leaders and political party chairman. G. Maengkom who had been Minister of Justice Rl and Muhammad Ali who was once the head of Customs at Tanjung Priok are two of the 17 members of the council.

Catched by Netherlands

Unfortunately, this situation did not last long because the Allies entered. For those who ride with Dutch Allies when it Wartabone Nani is a serious threat to their intention to re-colonize Indonesia, particularly Gorontalo. They pretend Wartabone invited Nani to negotiate on 30 November 1945 in an Allied warship docked in the port of Gorontalo, the Netherlands captivating. Nani Wartabone immediately taken to Manado.

In the presence of Military Tribunal Dutch in Manado, Nani Wartabone was sentenced to 15 years for treason on 23 January 1942. From prison in Manado, Nani Wartabone brought to Morotai and then dipindahkah to prison Cipinang in London in December 1946. Only eleven days in Cipinang, Nani was again taken to the prison at Morotai. Here he again experienced a very cruel physical torture of the Dutch occupation army. Of the Morotai, he returned again to Cipinang, until released on 23 January 1949, after the recognition of Indonesian sovereignty.

Back to Gorontalo

In 2 February 1950, Nani Wartabone again set foot in Gorontalo, the country that fought for its independence. People and the National Council welcome her struggling with feelings of joy mixed with emotion and tears. Bateku ship carrying Nani Wartabone greeted at sea by the people of Gorontalo. Nani was stretchered off the port Wartabone then taken around the city in the spirit of patriotism.

The people then membaiatnya to become head of government again. But Nani Wartabone against the form of government United States of Indonesia (RIS) that existed at that time. Gorontalo itself in the State of East Indonesia. According to him, the RIS is only a puppet government that wants the Netherlands to Indonesia remains deeply divided and controlled more easily.

Nani Wartabone Gorontalo people move back in a mammoth meeting on 6 April 1950. Meeting this goal is rejected RIS giant and join Homeland. This event indicates that Gorontalo is the first Indonesian territory which had denounced the RIS.

In this period until 1953, Nani Wartabone entrusted with several important positions, including head of government in Gorontalo, North Sulawesi Acting Regional Head, North Sulawesi and legislators. After that, Nani Wartabone choose to live in his village, Suwawa. Here he again took to the fields, and raising livestock like ordinary farmers in remote areas.

Battle with PERMESTA

Nani Wartabone peace of life as a farmer again piqued, when PRRI / PERMESTA took power in Gorontalo after Lieutenant Ventje Sumual and his colleagues proclaimed governments PRRI / PERMESTA in Manado in March 1957. Nani patriotism Wartabone back flare. He returned to lead the masses and youth to regain power PRRI / PERMESTA in Gorontalo and return it to the central government in Jakarta.

Unfortunately, Nani Wartabone forces still outnumbered his weapons to rebel forces. Therefore, he was with his family and his troops were forced to go out of the forest just shy of the rebel army ambush. When these guerrilla forces Wartabone Nani called "Forces Jungle".

Various methods Nani Wartabone in order to get the help of weapons and troops from the Centre. Only in the month of Ramadan in 1958 came to the aid troops from Battalion 512 led by Capt. UB Acub Zaenal and troops from Detachment 1 Hasanuddin Battalion 715 led by Captain Piola Isa. Thanks to the help of both armies from East Java and South Sulawesi is, Nani Wartabone regained government in Gorontalo of hand PRRI / PERMESTA in mid-June 1958.

After PRRI / PERMESTA was defeated in Gorontalo, Nani back trustworthy Wartabone assume important positions. For example, as a resident of North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and members DPRGR as farmer group representatives. After the events of G-30 in 1965, Nani Wartabone again stood at the forefront of the people of Gorontalo to scrape out the roots of communism in the region. Nani Wartabone who was a member of MPRS Rl, member of the National Planning Council and a member of the DPA, finally closed my eyes along with the call to prayer reverberate the Friday prayers on 3 January 1986, as a farmer in a remote village, Suwawa, Gorontalo.

Conferment of the title of National Hero

On Heroes' Day, 2003, President Megawati Sukarnoputri submit to the title of National Hero Nani Wartabone through his heirs, represented by one son, Hi Fauzi Wartabone, at the Presidential Palace, on 7 November 2003. Wartabone designated as a National Hero by 085/TK/Tahun Presidential Decree No. 2003 dated 6 November 2003.

To commemorate his struggle in the city of Gorontalo Nani Wartabone monument built to remind people of Gorontalo to the historic events of the 23 January 1942.