Indonesia Names Suharto a National Hero, Sparking Outcry from Rights Groups

Indonesia names Suharto a national hero, provoking strong criticism

Indonesia officially declared former president and long-time ruler Suharto a national hero during a televised ceremony at the presidential palace in Jakarta, a decision that has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights advocates and survivors of state violence.

The honor was one of 10 conferred by President Prabowo Subianto to mark National Hero Day. Culture Minister Fadli Zon defended the recognition, saying Suharto played an important role in the struggle against Dutch colonial rule, led operations that brought what is now West Papua under Indonesian control, and helped stabilize the economy by lowering inflation and reducing poverty. Zon dismissed allegations of large-scale corruption and serious human rights abuses as unproven.

Critics say the award whitewashes a 32-year authoritarian rule marked by deep abuses. Suharto, who ruled until he was forced from power amid nationwide protests during the 1997–1998 Asian financial crisis, has long been accused by rights groups and U.N. experts of responsibility for mass killings and other atrocities. Poor health and allegations of entrenched corruption prevented him from ever facing trial before his death in 2008.

Human rights monitors estimate that the greatest number of killings took place in 1965–1966, when between 300,000 and 800,000 people accused of ties to the Indonesian Communist Party were rounded up and killed as Suharto consolidated power. Over the following three decades, rights groups say as many as another 300,000 people were killed, disappeared or starved in East Timor, Aceh and Papua amid counterinsurgency campaigns and repression.

Many survivors and relatives of victims reacted with anger and dismay at the decision.

“I was shocked, disappointed and angry with this government’s absurd decision,” said Bedjo Untung, chair of the 1965 Murder Victims’ Research Foundation, who was imprisoned and tortured for nearly a decade after being accused of Communist ties. “It feels deeply unfair; we are still living with the suffering today.”

Observers noted the political sensitivities. President Prabowo has personal and professional ties to Suharto: he served in an elite special forces unit during Suharto’s era that has been accused of widespread abuses. Members of that unit, including Prabowo, were subject to U.S. travel restrictions until 2020, which were effectively lifted while he served as Indonesia’s defense minister. Prabowo was married to Suharto’s daughter Siti Hediati Hariyadi from 1983 to 1998.

The list of honorees also included figures who opposed or helped roll back aspects of the Suharto regime, such as former President Abdurrahman Wahid, who revoked many repressive laws, and Marsinah, a prominent labor activist who was murdered in 1993 after being detained following an altercation with military personnel.

Officials said nominees were recommended by parliament after consultations with the national assessment committee and civil society groups. Prasetyo Hadi, the Minister of State Secretary, described the awards as respect for predecessors who rendered notable service to the nation. But critics argue that bestowing the title on Suharto undermines Indonesia’s commitment to transitional justice and the reform movement that followed his fall.

“To honor the architect of gross human rights abuses is to de facto pardon state violence and risk permanently freezing the pursuit of justice for countless victims,” wrote Jaleswari Pramodhawardani, a senior policy analyst at Laboratorium Indonesia 2045.

The decision is likely to intensify debates over historical memory, accountability and reconciliation in Indonesia, reopening wounds for victims while prompting supporters to emphasize stability and development attributed to Suharto’s long rule.