Indonesia has posthumously awarded former dictator Suharto the title of national hero, a move presided over by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, amid widespread protests from human rights activists. The ceremony took place on Monday at the state palace in Jakarta, where Suharto was among 10 individuals honored for their contributions to the country.
On Monday, President Prabowo Subianto oversaw the award ceremony, with Suharto’s children accepting the honor on his behalf. The presidential office highlighted Suharto’s early role in Indonesia’s independence period, such as leading the disarmament of Japanese troops in Yogyakarta in 1945. This annual hero award aims to recognize individuals for their services, but Suharto’s nomination has been highly contentious due to his authoritarian rule from the 1960s to 1990s, known as the New Order regime.
During Suharto’s three-decade rule, Indonesia experienced rapid economic growth, with the economy expanding at an average of 7% annually and inflation dropping from over 600% in 1966 to around 10%. He was often called “Bapak Pembangunan” or father of development for these achievements. However, his regime was also marked by severe political repression, including estimates of hundreds of thousands of killings, torture, disappearances, and suppression of civil liberties. The invasion of East Timor in 1975 was one of the most brutal military operations of the Cold War era.
The decision to award Suharto has sparked significant opposition from human rights groups and activists. Last week, around 100 people protested in Jakarta, and nearly 16,000 signed an online petition against the move. Additional protests were planned for the day of the ceremony, leading to heavy security deployments. Amnesty Indonesia condemned the award as an attempt to “whitewash the sins” of Suharto’s regime and called it an “attempt to distort history.”
Suharto seized power in 1965 amid a chaotic period where at least half a million alleged communists were murdered. His rule shaped modern Indonesia, bringing development and stability, but at a high human cost. Many Indonesians remember the economic stability and growth under his leadership, which helped make Indonesia Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Despite accusations of embezzling billions of dollars, Suharto remained popular among some segments of the population.
President Prabowo, a former military general, has his own controversial human rights record, including allegations of abducting and torturing democracy activists in the late 1990s during Suharto’s regime. His election last year raised concerns about historical revisionism, and his administration has attempted to publish new history books that critics say downplay atrocities from the New Order era. The award to Suharto is seen as part of this effort to reshape the narrative around his legacy.
In a balancing act, the government also awarded national hero status to other figures, including Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), a former president who challenged Suharto and advocated for democracy, and Marsinah, a labor activist whose death in 1993 became a symbol of workers’ rights struggles. This move may partly appease critics by honoring opponents of the regime and acknowledging diverse contributions to Indonesian society.
The award reflects ongoing divisions in Indonesian society over Suharto’s legacy, underscoring the political currents under Prabowo’s leadership. It highlights the tension between remembering economic progress and acknowledging human rights abuses, with implications for Indonesia’s democratic future and how history is taught and perceived.
