On Monday, Indonesia posthumously honored former President Suharto with the title of national hero. Suharto, who was ousted from office in 1998 amid violent protests, had ruled for three decades during a period criticized for widespread human rights abuses, corruption, and nepotism.
The title was conferred in a ceremony overseen by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, despite protests by pro-democracy activists and the families of those affected by the strongman’s iron-fisted rule. Prabowo took office one year ago.
Every year, the title of national hero is awarded to Indonesians who have contributed significantly to the country’s development. Suharto, who died in 2008, was one of 10 people to get the title on Monday.
Suharto, a military officer, formally became president in 1967 after seizing control of Indonesia from the country’s first president and independence leader, Sukarno.
He led Indonesia through three decades of rapid economic growth and relative stability, but much of his progress collapsed during the Asian financial crisis of 1997–98, plunging the country into chaos.
Whitewashing History
Activists gathered last week in Jakarta to protest against the proposal to grant the title, reflecting wider concerns about historical revisionism in the country.
Even after his death, Suharto’s party, Golkar, remains a major political force which backs Prabowo in his current presidency, and holds key ministries in his cabinet.
Political analyst Kevin O’Rourke said naming Suharto a national hero could whitewash history and be an attempt to restore some authoritarianism, although it would not be easy.
Enduring Memory
While half of Indonesia’s population never experienced Suharto’s rule, many still remember its hardships. A group of people, known as the Aksi Kamisan has held silent vigils outside the presidential palace in Jakarta every Thursday for nearly 20 years, dressing in black and demanding justice for excesses endured under Suharto.
Many of them say they still do not know the whereabouts of loved ones who went missing under his rule.
Culture Minister Fadli Zon stated that Suharto met the criteria for the national hero title, noting his role in the 1965 mass killings was unproven.
Historians say about 500,000 people were killed. Indonesia has never investigated the killings.
(With inputs from Reuters)
