Maintaining the Hope of the Sons and Daughters of Nanggala Patriots

The families of the 53 KRI Nanggala-402 sailors are dealing with deep grief. However, the future of the children and families left by the nation\'s patriots should not be neglected.

Sheva Naufal Zidane, 18, looked strong even though grief was apparent on his face. The high school student, Monday (26/4/2021), kindly received the guests who came and offered their condolences and encouraging enthusiasm.

Sheva is the first son of Marine Col. Harry Setyawan and Winny Widayati, 45. Harry was the commander of the Submarine Unit (Dansatsel) of the Fleet II Command who died with the sinking of KRI Nanggala-402. The family who is blessed with four children lives in the Indonesian Navy\'s official residence in Tebel village, Gedangan district, Sidoarjo, East Java.

Sheva\'s pride in his father made him determined to follow in his footsteps as an Indonesian Military (TNI) soldier. "The plan is to enter the military academy after graduating from school this year," said Sheva on Monday.

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^ Complete Dedication of the Nation’s Patriots

^ TNI Takes Charge of the Condition of Families of 53 Crew Members

At a house in Kragan village, Gedangan district, Sidoarjo, a tiny baby fell asleep in his mother\'s arms. The 18-day-old baby, named Elzayn Virendra, is the son of Electro Chief Petty Officer Rusdiansyah Rahman and Gresilia, 26. Rusdiansyah was a pumpman on KRI Nanggala-402.

Gresilia was devastated by the departure of her husband. The woman who married in June 2020 and planned to hold a reception in June 2021 admitted that she continued to think about the fate of her child who will grow and develop without Rusdiansyah.

As a housewife who relies on her husband\'s income, Gresilia is confused about how to support her family later. She was a contract teacher at a private primary school before the pandemic. However, her contract period was not extended because face-to-face learning stopped.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa carries Elzayn, son of Gresilia and Rusdiansyah, a crew of KRI Nanggala-402 at his home in Sidoarjo, Monday (26/4/2021)

Mega Dhian Pratiwi’s hope also seemed to drown with the departure of her husband, Petty Officer 1st Class Pandu Yudha Kusuma, a weapons operator on KRI Nanggala. When she married two months ago, the midwife at the Klatak community health center (Puskesmas) imagined that she could build a small, happy family with Pandu. However, before being blessed with a baby, her beloved husband died while carrying out his duties on KRI Nanggala-402. "Mas Pandu and I made a promise. Later if we have a child, he or she will be named Nanggala," said Mega while sobbing.

Mas Pandu and I made a promise. Later if we have a child, he or she will be named Nanggala.

The families left by the crew of the KRI Nanggala are now facing an uncertain future. All KRI Nanggala personnel were the backbone of their family’s finances. They were the ones who struggled to make a living, while most of the sailors\' wives are responsible for taking care of the family, especially the children. Not many of the sailors\' wives work.

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Without a father figure, the lives of the children of the KRI Nanggala sailors in the future will not be easy. They need support from a number of parties in order to prepare for the future.

Government assistance

In this regard, President Joko Widodo said the government would guarantee the education of the sons and daughters of the KRI Nanggala-402 soldiers\' families up to S-1 level. Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, during a visit to the family home of the victims of Nanggala-402 in Sidoarjo, said that, apart from providing moral support, his party would also help facilitate access to education for the children of the soldiers who died on duty.

KEMENTERIAN SOSIAL

Social Minister Tri Rismaharini (left) accompanied by top Navy officials met the families of the KRI Nanggala 402 crew at Fleet 2 Command Headquarters, Surabaya, East Java, Sunday (25/4/2021).

Meanwhile, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini said there would be scholarships and cash assistance of Rp 100 million per child for the families and pregnant wives of Nanggala crew members. "Regency/city governments are open to giving awards to the families," she said.

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa promised to provide financial assistance to the soldiers\' families. Out of the 53 submarine crew members, 47 were East Java residents and they were the mainstay of their families\' finances.

Assistance was also promised by Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani, when visiting Mega with the Banyuwangi Navy Base Commander, Marine Lt. Col. Eros Wasis. "We are trying to make Mbak Mega become a PPPK (government employee with a work agreement)," said Ipuk.

We are ready to help

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi also decided to help. His party is preparing scholarships for 12 children of submarine crew members who are registered as residents of Surabaya.

Bogor Mayor Bima Arya also promised to give scholarships to two children of Marine Lt. Col. Irfan Suri, one of the KRI Nanggala crew members. "We are ready to help," said Bima while visiting Amalia A Yuni, the wife of Irfan Suri, at his home in Bogor.

Apart from the various kinds of assistance, efforts for accompaniment and recovery of family trauma from the KRI Nanggala disaster were also provided by the Lampung Police and the Surabaya city government. Full support for the families of the KRI Nanggala soldiers is very meaningful to enable them to keep looking at a bright future. (BRO/ETA/GER/NIK/ GIO/ NCA / VIO )

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.