Why has hero status for Indonesia’s former President Soeharto caused outrage? | AJ #shorts

Key Concepts

• National Hero Status: An honor bestowed by the Indonesian government.
• Suharto: Former President of Indonesia who ruled for three decades.
• 1965-1966 Anti-Communist Campaign: A period of mass killings targeting communists, leftists, and ethnic Chinese.
• East Timor Invasion (1975): Indonesia's military occupation of East Timor, marked by widespread violence and alleged genocide.
• Corruption: Suharto and his family are accused of amassing significant wealth through corrupt practices.
• Economic Growth and Stability: Suharto's regime is credited with industrialization and economic development in Indonesia.
• Prabowo Subianto: Current Indonesian President and former son-in-law of Suharto, also accused of human rights violations.
• Whitewashing Legacy: The act of attempting to conceal or downplay negative aspects of a historical figure's past.
• Genocide: The deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group.

Suharto's National Hero Status and Controversy

The Indonesian government has granted national hero status to former President Suharto, who ruled the country for three decades. This posthumous honor, bestowed by the current president, Prabowo Subianto, has ignited anger among millions who accuse the government and segments of Indonesian society of attempting to "whitewash" Suharto's legacy. Suharto died 17 years prior to this event.

Suharto's Rise and Brutal Reign

Suharto, who began his career as a military general, is primarily known for the 1965-1966 campaign to eliminate communists and leftists. This period is described as one of the worst massacres of the 20th century, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people. Victims, including communists, leftists, and ethnic Chinese, were reportedly stabbed, shot, and mutilated by the military and death squads.

Following this campaign, Suharto assumed the presidency, leading Indonesia for the subsequent 31 years. His regime was characterized by widespread brutality.

Consequences Beyond Indonesia: East Timor

The repercussions of Suharto's actions extended beyond Indonesia's borders. In 1975, Suharto's Indonesia invaded East Timor. For nearly 25 years, the Indonesian military subjected the East Timorese population to severe violence, torture, and detention. The United Nations reported that the government employed starvation as a tactic to exterminate the population. Many legal scholars have labeled this as genocide, with an estimated 183,000 deaths occurring during the occupation.

Corruption Allegations

Suharto was eventually ousted from office in 1998. In addition to his national hero status, he also earned the title of the world's most corrupt leader from Transparency International. Suharto and his family are accused of accumulating approximately $50 billion through kickbacks and corruption schemes in Indonesia's mineral-rich archipelago.

Justification for Hero Status and Counterarguments

The text acknowledges that Suharto is credited with pulling Indonesia out of economic ruin. His leadership is associated with industrialization, the fostering of strong trade relationships, and three decades of rapid economic growth and stability, for which many Indonesians give him credit.

However, the narrative strongly contrasts this with the human rights abuses. The current president, Prabowo Subianto, who bestowed the honor, was Suharto's former son-in-law. Prabowo himself faces accusations of human rights violations from his time as a military leader, including in East Timor.

Ongoing Fight for Justice

Many Indonesians and East Timorese continue to seek justice for crimes committed decades ago. Advocates argue that the elevation of Suharto to national hero status has significantly hindered their efforts to achieve accountability and closure.

Conclusion

The decision to grant Suharto national hero status is a deeply divisive issue in Indonesia. While his regime is credited with economic development and stability, this is overshadowed by widespread accusations of mass killings, genocide in East Timor, and extensive corruption. The move is seen by many as an attempt to sanitize a brutal past, complicating the ongoing pursuit of justice for victims and their families.