Jakarta, June 20 -- The Indonesian Navy has proposed naming the country's first aircraft carrier after historical figure Gajah Mada or national hero General Soedirman, with the final decision subject to approval by President Prabowo Subianto and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

"One of the proposals is Gajah Mada, and another is Panglima Soedirman," Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Muhammad Ali said.

Speaking at the Naval Command and Staff College in South Jakarta on Thursday, June 18, Ali did not elaborate on the reasons behind the selection of the two historical figures as potential names for Indonesia's first aircraft carrier.

Gajah Mada was the powerful military and political leader of the Majapahit Empire and is best known...