Dozens of Indonesians protest national hero title for former President Suharto

Key Concepts

• National Hero Title: An honor bestowed by the Indonesian government.
• Suharto: Former President of Indonesia (ruled 1967-1998).
• Human Rights Abuses: Allegations of severe violations of fundamental rights during Suharto's rule.
• Corruption: Allegations of widespread illicit enrichment during Suharto's presidency.
• Historical Distortion: The concern that honoring Suharto would misrepresent his legacy.
• Nahdlatul Ulama (NU): Indonesia's largest Islamic organization.
• National Heroes Day: Observed annually on November 10th.

Opposition to Suharto's National Hero Nomination

Indonesian activists are strongly opposing a government proposal to grant former President Suharto the title of national hero. Their primary argument is that honoring Suharto, a figure associated with significant controversy, would distort Indonesia's historical narrative.

Suharto's Legacy and Controversies

Suharto, who died in 2008 at the age of 86, ruled Indonesia for over three decades, from 1967 until 1998, following a failed coup attempt. His long tenure, often described as an "iron fist" rule, was marked by widespread allegations of corruption and severe human rights abuses. These abuses included violent crackdowns on political dissent. Activists contend that bestowing the national hero title would legitimize, rather than acknowledge, this controversial legacy.

The Nomination Process

The Culture Ministry has proposed Suharto's nomination as part of a larger list of 49 individuals submitted to President Joko Widodo for consideration. This year's submission includes 40 new names and 9 carried over from previous years. The ministry indicated that 24 candidates are considered high priority, based on their historical contributions and academic review. Notably, President Widodo was once married to Suharto's daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.

Support and Opposition from Major Organizations

Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has expressed support for Suharto's nomination. NU stated that the country needs to learn from its past, encompassing both its strengths and shortcomings, to build a wiser and more civilized future. However, this stance contrasts with the opposition from activist groups.

Previous Nominations and Vetting Process

Suharto has been nominated for the national hero title three times previously. The process for selecting national heroes typically involves nominations from communities, followed by vetting through research and evaluation teams at district, provincial, and ministerial levels. These nominations are part of an annual process culminating in National Heroes Day, observed on November 10th.

Conclusion

The debate over Suharto's national hero nomination highlights a deep division within Indonesia regarding how to reconcile the nation's past, particularly the authoritarian era under Suharto. While some, like NU, believe in learning from all aspects of history, including Suharto's rule, to foster future growth, activists and a segment of the public argue that honoring him would be a disservice to victims of human rights abuses and a misrepresentation of historical truth. The government's decision on this nomination remains a point of contention.