Soerjo Monument

Historical Background and the Dark Events of 1948

The origin of the Soerjo Monument is rooted in the dark events that occurred on September 10, 1948. At that time, RMTA Soerjo had just completed his duties in Yogyakarta and intended to return to Surabaya. During his journey by land, the car carrying the Governor along with his two adjutants, Police Commissioner M. Doerjat and Major Soeroko, was forcibly stopped by a group of armed individuals in the middle of the Kedunggalar forest, Ngawi.

This group was part of the sympathizers of the People's Democratic Front (FDR) affiliated with the PKI rebellion in Madiun. The three figures were abducted into the forest, tortured, and finally brutally murdered. The Governor's body was found a few days later in the teak forest in a deplorable condition. This incident shook the national stability, which was then struggling against Dutch military aggression, and also marked the peak of ideological tension in Java.

Monument Construction and Architecture

The Soerjo Monument was inaugurated on October 28, 1975, by the then Commander of Kodam V/Brawijaya, Major General TNI Witarmin. The choice of location on the side of the main Ngawi-Solo highway was not without reason; this point was the closest area to the location where the Governor's body was found.

Architecturally, the monument embodies the heroic realism style typical of monuments from the New Order era. The main structure consists of a bronze statue about 4 meters high, depicting RMTA Soerjo standing tall in full uniform, looking towards the highway. The statue's gaze is depicted as firm yet calm, symbolizing a leader's steadfastness in facing death to defend the nation's sovereignty.

Behind the main statue, there is a large relief made of hard cement. This relief chronologically narrates RMTA Soerjo's dedication from his tenure as Regent of Magetan to the final moments of his life. Architectural details also include symbolic elements such as a specific number of steps to commemorate important dates, and a spacious courtyard often used for state ceremonies.

Significance of the Figure RMTA Soerjo

RMTA Soerjo was no ordinary figure in Indonesian history. Before serving as Governor of East Java, he was the Regent of Magetan, known for being very close to the people. However, his name exploded onto the national stage thanks to his bravery during the Battle of November 10, 1945, in Surabaya.

As Governor, he was the figure who delivered a legendary speech via radio that ignited the spirit of the "Arek-arek Suroboyo" (people of Surabaya) to reject the British ultimatum. His decision to remain in Surabaya when the city was bombed demonstrated extraordinary moral integrity. Therefore, his murder in Ngawi was considered a great loss for the nation, and the Soerjo Monument became a symbol of resistance against all forms of betrayal of the state.

Conservation Efforts and Preservation Status

Currently, the Soerjo Monument is managed under the supervision of the Ngawi Regency Government through the Department of Tourism, Youth, and Sports, in cooperation with Perum Perhutani due to its location within state forest areas. Its preservation status is well-maintained through a series of periodic renovations.

In recent years, the area around the monument has been developed into a historical tourism and ecotourism area. Renovations have been carried out on the courtyard and repainting of the statue and relief without altering their original form to preserve their historical value. The local government also regularly holds commemoration ceremonies every November 10th and on the anniversary of East Java Province at this location as a form of continuous tribute.

Cultural and Educational Value

Besides its strong historical value, the Soerjo Monument holds cultural and educational functions for the surrounding community and tourists. The teak forest surrounding the monument, known as "Hutan Soerjo" (Soerjo Forest), is now a research site for forestry and history students.

For the local community, this monument is a reminder of the importance of unity. There is an unwritten tradition where drivers passing through the route often honk their horns or briefly pay their respects when passing the monument, a form of local wisdom to honor the spirits of heroes who fell on that road. The site also serves as a living history laboratory for schools in East Java that conduct field studies to understand the impact of the 1948 rebellion more deeply than just reading textbooks.

Unique Facts and Special Features

One of the unique facts about this monument is the presence of an inscription listing the names of soldiers and civilians who were also victims of the same incident. Additionally, around the monument area, there are several rare trees deliberately planted to maintain the pristine ecosystem of the Kedunggalar teak forest.

The Soerjo Monument is also the only governor's monument in Indonesia built at the location where he was tragically murdered, not in the city center or provincial capital. This gives a strong spiritual and emotional aura to every visitor who comes. Visitors are not only treated to the sight of the statue but also the serene atmosphere of the teak forest, which seems to bring back memories of the tense atmosphere of 1948.

With its existence reaching almost half a century since its inauguration, the Soerjo Monument remains a pillar of the nation's collective memory. It reminds every generation that the freedom and stability enjoyed today were paid for at a very high price by our predecessors, including by the blood of the First Governor of East Java, RMTA Soerjo.