MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – President of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir, received the Bintang Legiun Veteran Republik Indonesia (LVRI Star), the highest honor from the Indonesian Veterans Legion, in Jakarta on Thursday, July 10. The award recognizes his dedication to preserving the values of Indonesia’s independence and supporting the development of the LVRI as an institution.
In his remarks, Haedar expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition, saying he felt humbled by the honor.
“With gratitude to Allah, I sincerely thank you for this LVRI Star award. Honestly, I don’t feel worthy of such recognition, but I accept it as a responsibility and inspiration for myself, my family, the organization, and future generations,” said Haedar.
He recalled a past meeting with LVRI leaders in Yogyakarta that they shared stories of their sacrifices during Indonesia’s independence struggle. Haedar said those stories reminded him of the importance of keeping the spirit of service and national commitment alive today.
Haedar highlighted three values that he believes are essential for Indonesia’s future, namely strong commitment, integrity, and selfless dedication. He also spoke about General Soedirman, a national hero and prominent Muhammadiyah figure, as a model of these values.
“General Soedirman showed what true leadership means. At a young age, he led the guerrilla war with outstanding integrity and courage. He should be a role model for today’s youth,” explained Haedar.
Haedar also emphasized the need to strengthen national identity by living out the values of Pancasila in daily life. He warned against reducing these values to mere slogans and urged Indonesians to put them into action alongside their religious and cultural traditions.
“Our nation’s values are a priceless legacy. They must be practiced and upheld in real life, not just remembered,” added Haedar.
Looking to the future, Haedar called for a balanced approach that combines technological advancement with strong moral values. He stressed that Indonesia must avoid two extremes, namely losing its identity in the pursuit of modern progress and being held back by clinging only to tradition.
“We need to blend progress with values so we can grow as a nation and stand equal with others,” said Haedar.
Meanwhile, General Chairperson of LVRI Herman Bernhard Leopold Mantiri said the LVRI Star is only given to individuals who have made a significant impact on the institution and contributed to preserving the nation’s founding values. He praised Haedar’s support, especially his help with renovating the LVRI office in Yogyakarta.
“This award is not given lightly. It honors the meaningful contributions of Haedar Nashir and Yendra Fahmi, which have truly benefited us. We look forward to continued cooperation,” said Mantiri.
For information, the ceremony was attended by national leaders, including Muhammadiyah Secretary General and Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti and other Muhammadiyah figures. The event brought together veterans and younger generations, united by a shared mission to build a just, progressive, and values-based Indonesia.
