CCN, CILEGON – On July 9, 2023, hundreds of residents of Cilegon City, including Civil Servants (ASN), community leaders, religious figures, and descendants of the Geger Cilegon heroes, gathered at the Mayor’s Residence in Cilegon to attend the Khaul and Joint Prayer event in commemoration of the 135th anniversary of the Geger Cilegon incident in 1888.
The commemoration of the Geger Cilegon incident in 1888 has been designated by the Cilegon City Government, and during the event, the people of Cilegon gather to pay tribute to the farmers and religious leaders in Cilegon who resisted the Dutch colonizers at that time.
The Geger Cilegon incident is one of the significant historical moments for the residents of Cilegon. This event occurred after the eruption of Mount Krakatau and became a catalyst for the struggle for Indonesian independence.
KH Nawawi, one of the initiators of the petition to commemorate the Geger Cilegon incident, was also present at the event. In his speech, KH Nawawi conveyed several points from the petition, which contained proposals to the local government and the Central Government.
Since the petition was launched two years ago, the people of Cilegon have continued to show an unwavering spirit of struggle in their efforts to rebuild a better life. Some desires in the petition include the enactment of a Mayor’s Regulation (Perwal) or the Ratification of the Cilegon City Grand Day Regulation commemorating the Geger Cilegon War every year, the establishment and maintenance of the Geger Cilegon War Museum, as well as the construction of a monument listing the names of the fighters.
“Alhamdulillah, in 2022, several families of Geger Cilegon heroes have been honored as martyrs of Geger Cilegon. Currently, we are in the process of appointing two more heroes in Cilegon, namely Commander KH Wasyid and Deputy Commander KH Arsyad Thawil,” said KH Nawawi in his speech.
Cilegon Mayor Helldy Agustian, who is a descendant of Deputy Commander KH Arsyad Thawil of the Geger Cilegon War in 1888, reminded all residents of Cilegon City not to forget the history of Cilegon’s struggle.
Alongside the efforts to submit the petition, Mayor Helldy stated that their current priority is to fulfill their 10 vision and mission statements. However, they will assist to the best of their abilities in realizing those goals.
Helldy also mentioned that they will educate the community, especially at the elementary and secondary education levels, about Geger Cilegon by creating a book.
(Translated by ahdi)
