Prayers Echoing for the Crew

KOMPAS/ANGGER PUTRANTO

Yayak Dwi Ernawati (46) holding a photo of Second Sergeant (Serda) Ede Pandu Yudha Kusuma (her son-in-law) and his wife Mega. Serda Pandu together with 52 Indonesian Navy soldiers are currently in the depths of the Bali Sea with KRI Nanggala-402, which has been missing since Wednesday (21/4/2021).

Worries and anxiety are combined with hope and confidence in the safety of the crew of the missing KRI Nanggala-402 submarine. In an atmosphere of uncertainty there are resounding prayers from families and friends. They continue to hope that the crew is found safe.

Since KRI Nanggala lost contact on Wednesday (21/4/2021), a number of relatives and families gathered at the residence of Yayak Dwi Ernawati, 46, in Banyuwangi, East Java. Yayak is none other than the mother of Mega Dian Pratiwi, the wife of Petty Officer 1st Class Ede Pandu Yudha Kusuma. Pandu is one of 53 Indonesian Navy soldiers who are at KRI Nanggala. The presence of relatives aimed to provide moral support to Mega and to pray for the safety of the crew.

Less than two months ago, the family members also gathered at Yayak\'s house. At that time, a happy atmosphere cast a shadow over Mega and Pandu\'s wedding.

Also read: Time Running Out to Rescue Crew of KRI Nanggala

"It has not been two months since my children were married. I remember, three days after getting married, Nak Pandu immediately went to Surabaya for service. That is indeed his calling and responsibility for state duties," said Yayak.

Not only a dedicated servant of the state, Pandu is also responsible for his family.

Yayak is proud of Pandu and Mega because both are loyal to their duties as state servants. Mega had immediately returned to work as a midwife at the Klatak Community Health Center, Banyuwangi.

Not only a dedicated servant of the state, Pandu is also responsible for his family. Pandu, who was the first born in his family, also cares for Mega\'s younger siblings. Before leaving for duty, Pandu always said goodbye, asking for Yayak\'s blessing, including when he left for duty at KRI Nanggala, Monday (19/4).

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

The search for KRI Nanggala-402, which had lost contact since Wednesday (21/4/2021), was carried out with maximum efforts until Friday (23/4/2021). The Indonesian Navy is alerting helicopters and aircraft in the area of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Badung, Bali.

According to the plan, the KRI Nanggala was to carry out a missile launch training scenario in Bali waters, Thursday (22/4). The missile should have been fired by Pandu, who is entrusted as the weapons operator on the submarine.

While waiting to break-the-fast on Wednesday, Yayak was shocked by the news that KRI Nanggala had lost contact from her friend\'s uploaded Instagram Story. Yayak immediately asked Mega to get confirmation about the information.

Despite the worries, there is still hope in every inhalation and exhalation of the family. With a trembling voice, Yayak said, “I\'m confident my child can come home. He\'s the best soldier. He must return home."

Worries and hopes were also seen in Sudarmaji, the father of Chief Petty Officer Dedi Heri Susilo. Dedi, who also comes from Banyuwangi, is a crew member of KRI Nanggala.

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Prayers continued to be offered by Sudarmaji and his family. He hopes that worries will be replaced by joy when KRI Nanggala is found.

In Sidoarjo, the house belonging to the submarine unit commander of Fleet II Command at KRI Nanggala-402 Marine Col. Harry Setiawan, in Tebel village, Gedangan district, as of Friday (23/4) also continued to be visited by neighbors, relatives and colleagues. They gave their best prayers and moral support to Harry\'s wife, Winny Widayanti, 45, and their four children.

"I ask for prayers that the husband and crew members of the KRI Nanggala-402 will be found in a healthy and safe condition soon. I can only pray and ask for prayers and support from everyone," said Winny, when met at her home.

I can only pray and ask for prayers and support from everyone.

Despite her worries, Winny was grateful for the support of many parties. She was optimistic that the ship will be found soon. As the commander\'s wife, Winny also provided moral support to the wives of the other crew members.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Winny Widayanti (left), wife of the Submarine Unit Commander (Dansatsel) KRI Nanggala-402 Marine Colonel Harry Setiawan when receiving relatives who came to her house in Sidoarjo, Friday (23/4/2021)

Miracle

Ida Farida, 65, the mother of Harry Setiawan, has never stopped praying for salvation. Ida just arrived in Sidoarjo at 08:00 a.m. after traveling 12 hours overland from Depok, West Java.

"Hopefully there will be a miracle from Allah. We hope for the best, that everyone is found safe," said Ida.

Harry is the first of three children. According to Ida, Harry always asked for her blessing each time he went out for a sail. The family continues to keep up with the latest news in the search effort.

The optimism of KRI Nanggala crewmember’s families was strengthened after hearing that many parties were helping the search. The prayers of local residents have helped maintain hope.

"Actually, (I) was a bit worried when I read the news that the oxygen on the ship was only enough until Saturday (24/4). However, I am again optimistic because there are rescue boats from Singapore and Malaysia,” said Rakiyan, 59, the father of Marine Maj. Eko Firmanto, a crew member of KRI Nanggala, in Tegal, Central Java.

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Rakiyan always monitored search developments through television and internet news. He hoped to hear good news from the search effort.

Hope was also nurtured through prayer with the residents every night and the support of Eko\'s colleagues. Rosita, 56, Eko\'s mother, said that she received many calls and text messages containing prayers for her son. It strengthened her.

The extended family members of Seaman Gunadi Fajar Rahmanto, 27, a crew member of the KRI Nanggala, also gathered and prayed at his house in Ngreco hamlet, Seloharjo village, Pundong, Bantul, Yogyakarta. The support of the local community was manifested in prayer together, Thursday night, after the Tarawih prayer.

Along with prayers from the families and the wider community as well as search efforts by various parties, all hope that KRI Nanggala crew members are found safe. ( NIK/ XTI/ NCA)

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.