Indonesia has named former president Suharto a national hero, a move that has drawn protests from activists, academics and rights groups who cite his decades-long authoritarian rule and alleged human rights violations. The decree added Suharto to a list of 10 new honorees announced at a National Hero Day ceremony presided over by President Prabowo Subianto. Critics — including about 500 civil society members and the rights group Kontras — say the decision risks normalising impunity and distorting historical accountability. Supporters and some government officials argue the title recognises extraordinary contributions to the nation.
Indonesia Names Former Strongman Suharto a National Hero — Rights Groups Protest
Indonesia has named former president Suharto a national hero, a move that has drawn protests from activists, academics and rights groups who cite his decades-long authoritarian rule and alleged human rights violations. The decree added Suharto to a list of 10 new honorees announced at a National Hero Day ceremony presided over by President Prabowo Subianto. Critics — including about 500 civil society members and the rights group Kontras — say the decision risks normalising impunity and distorting historical accountability. Supporters and some government officials argue the title recognises extraordinary contributions to the nation.
01:04 PM, 11/10/2025Politics
Indonesia adds Suharto to list of national heroes amid controversy
Indonesia has declared former president Suharto a national hero, a decision announced at a National Hero Day ceremony on Monday that reignited debate over his three-decade rule and alleged human rights abuses.
In a decree read by the presidential military secretary, Suharto was named among 10 new honorees added to a roster of more than 200 historical figures. The ceremony was presided over by President Prabowo Subianto, who is Suharto’s former son-in-law.
Prabowo’s office defended the move, saying the president has the prerogative to bestow the title. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi described the decision as part of recognising predecessors who made "extraordinary contributions to the nation." Supporters of Suharto — including his daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and son Bambang Trihatmodjo — attended the event.
Critics say the designation whitewashes Suharto’s legacy. Suharto, who died in 2008 aged 86, rose to power in the aftermath of a failed coup in the mid-1960s and ruled Indonesia from 1967 with a tightly controlled, authoritarian administration. His tenure was accompanied by large-scale allegations of corruption and violent crackdowns on political dissent.
Last week, roughly 500 civil society members, activists and academics signed a letter urging President Prabowo not to confer the honour. The letter argued that honoring Suharto would betray victims, undermine democratic principles and risk rewriting history.
"Suharto, as someone suspected of being involved in human rights violations, state violence and various offences related to human rights abuses, does not deserve to be awarded the title of national hero,"
The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) called the move "immoral" and warned it could normalise impunity. The decision comes as President Prabowo has confronted a wave of often violent protests since last year’s election, driven by grievances over economic inequality and perceived privileges for lawmakers.
Among the other nine newly named national heroes are slain labour activist Marsinah and former president Abdurrahman Wahid, who died in 2009. The announcement is likely to deepen public discussion about how Indonesia remembers its past and balances recognition of state-building achievements with accountability for rights abuses.