Purworejo, Central Java. The Democratic Party said on Wednesday that it would nominate President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's father-in-law, the late Gen. Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, for a national hero title.

Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum said the party had also decided to nominate the country's second attorney general, the late Kasman Singodimedjo.

"Insha Allah [God willing], in the near future we will nominate Pak Sarwo Edhie as a national hero. The Democrats have agreed to give him the title of a hero," Anas said during a visit to the Central Java town of Purworejo on Wednesday.

"Heroes are people we can learn from and who become our role models. Let's support this nomination," he added, as quoted by Indonesian news portal Liputan6.com.

Anas said Sarwo and Kasman deserved national hero titles because they played significant roles in uniting the country during the early days of its independence. Both of them were born in Purworejo – Sarwo in 1925 and Kasman in 1904. They died at the ages of 64 and 78, respectively.

Sarwo was commander of the Army's Para-Commando Regiment (RPKAD), now the Army's special forces unit Kopassus, from 1965-67. He helped eradicate the Communist Party (PKI) movement, which was largely deemed responsible for the failed 1965 coup attempt. Sarwo was the father of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono. His son Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo currently serves as the Army's chief of staff.

Kasman served as the attorney general from 1945-46. He also served as a junior justice minister and chaired the Central Indonesia National Committee (KNIP), now the House of Representatives. The Democratic Party was founded by Yudhoyono, who is now its chief patron.