Prabowo adds Suharto, his former father-in-law, to the list of national heroes
Despite accusations of human rights violations, Indonesia’s incumbent president presented the National Hero title to Suharto’s children. The official narrative cites the role the late strongman played in expelling the Japanese in 1945. The same title was also awarded to the late Abdurrahman Wahid, a symbol of democracy and pluralism, and the late trade unionist Marsinah, who was killed during the Suharto years.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The decision by the Indonesian government to grant Suharto (Soeharto), the country's second president in power from 1967 to 1998, the title of national hero was met with disappointment by many Indonesians. Suharto was the former father-in-law of incumbent President Prabowo Subianto.
Although the country widely acknowledges Suharto's significant contributions, such as achieving national self-sufficiency in rice production (which earned him a FAO award in 1995) and expanding access to healthcare in rural areas through the Puskesmas system, most Indonesians still see his authoritarian regime as a reason to deny him any national honour.
Suharto is broadly associated, directly or indirectly, with human rights violations, corruption, and nepotism. But this did not stop Prabowo. In a ceremony held today, Indonesia's National Heroes Day, the president officially bestowed upon Suharto the title of National Hero (Pahlawan Nasional), part of a rehabilitation process undertaken since he assumed the presidency.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace, where Prabowo symbolically presented the government decree to two of Suharto's children, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana (known as Mbak Tutut) and Bambang Trihatmodjo.
For the incumbent president, Suharto's recognition as a national hero is based on his “prominent role since the war of independence”. The official narrative read during the ceremony noted that "as Deputy Commander of the People's Security Agency (BKR) in Yogyakarta, he led the disarmament of Japanese troops in Kota Baru in 1945.”
Interestingly, there was no public outcry when President Prabowo awarded the title of National Hero to Abdurrahman Wahid, known as Gus Dur, the country's fourth president, in honour of his commitment to humanity, democracy, and pluralism in Indonesia.
Another notable name among this year's honourees is that of Marsinah (1969–1993), a young labour activist killed for demanding fair wages. Marsinah was an activist in an independent labour union employed in a watch factory in East Java.
She was involved in negotiations on behalf of 500 workers who were striking after the company failed to respect the minimum wage and union autonomy. On 5 May 1993, she was abducted after a demonstration – her mutilated body was found four days later.
The army was widely suspected of involvement in her disappearance and death. Her assassination drew international attention to the brutal repression of workers under the Suharto dictatorship.
Other individuals honoured this year as national heroes include Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, a former Foreign Minister during the Suharto era; Hajjah Rahmah El Yunusiyyah, recognised for her contributions to Islamic education; General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, father-in-law of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who played an active role in the repression of the Indonesian Communist Party; Muhammad Salahuddin, recognised for his work in education and diplomacy; Syaikhona Muhammad Kholil, honoured for his contributions to Islamic education; Tuan Rondahaim Saragih, recognised for his role in the anti-colonial armed resistance; and Zainal Abidin Syah, honoured for his contributions to diplomacy.
.png)
20/05/2025 15:47
05/04/2022 13:03
