Moewardi or commonly known as Dr. Moewardi is one of the Indonesian heroes who died during the Japanese occupation. Moewardi was born in Randukuning Village, Pati, Central Java, on January 30, 1907. Moewardi is a doctor who graduated from STOVIA who later continued his education in Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Specialization. He was also the chairman of the Barisan Pelopor in 1945 in Surakarta and was involved in the proclamation of 17 August 1945. In Solo, Moewardi founded a medical school and formed a people’s movement against the PKI’s actions. In the Madiun incident he was one of the figures who were reported missing and allegedly killed by rebels other than Governor Soeryo. In addition, Dr. Moewardi is not only active as a doctor, but he is also known to be good at pencak silat and is active in scouting. Moewardi is the leader in Jong Java Padvinderij scouting.
In the era of preparation for the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, Moewardi helped prepare for the reading of the text of the proclamation which was carried out at Bung Karno’s house. When Japan came to replace the Netherlands, he became Syuurengotaico. Syuurengotaico is the position in charge of leading the Jakarta Special City Pioneer Front or Jakarta Tokubetsu Shi. Barisan Pelopor itself was actually formed by the Japanese, but by the youths it was used as a movement to liberate Indonesia. During his time in Barisan Pelopor, Moewardi had become a fugitive from the Japanese army because of his resistance.
For the sake of Indonesia’s independence, Moewardi had given up his temporary status as a doctor. Then, after the capital city of Yogyakarta moved to Jakarta, Moewardi chose to stay in Solo. In Solo, Moewardi returned to his profession as a doctor. Then, on September 13, 1948, Major Hendroprijoko, General of the TNI, prevented Moewardi from practicing because of the state of emergency. However, Moewardi did not heed Major Hendroprijoko’s words. He remains strong to carry out the operation process according to the specified schedule. Moewardi said that he would not be killed by his own people, but only by the Dutch, so the patient had to be operated on. Moewardi was kidnapped on September 13, 1948, while practicing as a doctor at Jebres Hospital, Solo. After that, news came that all the kidnap victims, including Moewardi, had been killed.
To commemorate his figure, Moewardi was officially named a Hero of National Independence through the Decree of the President of the Republic of Indonesia No. 190 of 1964. Moewardi’s name was also pinned as the name of the hospital which was decided by the Decree of the Governor of the First Level Region of Central Java on October 24, 1988.
