SUDIRMAN would not need a presidential decree to be named a national hero. In fact, it is difficult to imagine this frail and asthmatic general aspiring to have his name on avenues, monuments and city squares, let alone promoting himself as generalissimo.

The first act by Sudirman following his election as supreme commander of the People's Defense Army was to plan the attack on Ambarawa, which unquestionably justified his appointment as the top