In a move that marks the culmination of nearly four decades of civic advocacy, Sultan Muhammad Ali Abdul Jalil Muazzam Syah—widely known as Marhum Pekan—is set to be officially recognized as a National Hero.
The announcement, confirmed by Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho, arrives just ahead of the nation’s Heroes’ Day commemorations scheduled for Tuesday, November 10.
For the residents of Riau Province, this conferment is the realization of a campaign that began in 1988. Mayor Agung Nugroho, who plans to attend the ceremony at the State Palace alongside the Sultan’s descendants, noted that the news was recently relayed to him by Culture Minister Fadli Zon.
According to reporting from ANTARA News, the designation honors the fifth Sultan of Siak Sri Indrapura, whose historical contributions provided the bedrock for modern-day Pekanbaru.
The history of Pekanbaru is linked to the strategic vision of the Siak Sultanate. Marhum Pekan was the son of Sultan Abdul Jalil Alamuddin Syah—known as Marhum Bukit—the fourth Sultan of Siak.
Building upon his father’s initial development of the Senapelan area, Marhum Pekan transformed the site into a trading hub. This early focus on the pekan, or traditional market, established the foundation for the growth of the city that is now the capital of Riau Province.
Beyond his urban development efforts, the Sultan is remembered for his struggle against Dutch colonial forces on Guntung Island. By elevating his status to that of a National Hero, the government is formally acknowledging the role the Siak Sultanate played in shaping the region.
“Thank God, the dream that the community has long fought for has finally come true. We are proud that the founder of Pekanbaru has received the honor of being named a National Hero. This happiness belongs to the people of Pekanbaru, the people of Siak, and all of Riau,” said Mayor Agung Nugroho.
The recognition highlights the preservation of local Malay history. Mayor Nugroho has framed the honor as a vital opportunity to reintroduce Malay history and culture to younger generations, emphasizing that the city’s progress and its Malay identity are linked.
“I love Pekanbaru, along with its Malay history and culture. Safeguarding the dignity of Malay culture is a responsibility I uphold in leading this city. Pekanbaru is our shared home, and the city’s progress must go hand in hand with keeping Malay culture alive as part of its identity,” Nugroho stated, as reported by ANTARA News.
The conferment comes during a broader wave of recognition. President Prabowo has recently inaugurated a new museum dedicated to labor hero Marsinah and received 49 national hero nominees including Soeharto and Gus Dur.
While the designation is celebrated in Pekanbaru, it shows how long state-level recognition can take. The wait for this title highlights the process required for such honors. For the people of Riau, the focus now shifts to how this national recognition provides an opportunity to reintroduce Malay history and culture to younger generations, ensuring that the legacy of Marhum Pekan remains a part of the city’s identity.
The formal ceremony at the State Palace on November 10 will serve as the official milestone, bringing the history of the Siak Sultanate into the national spotlight.
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