On Monday, Indonesia posthumously honored former President Suharto as a national hero, despite his ousting in 1998 following protests against his 30-year regime, criticized for human rights abuses, corruption, and nepotism. President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, led the ceremony amid opposition from pro-democracy activists and victims’ families. Prabowo assumed office a year ago.
“A notable figure from Central Java, key in the independence struggle, General Suharto was prominent since the independence era,” an announcer stated as Prabowo presented the award to Suharto’s children.
Indonesia gained independence from the Dutch and Japanese in 1945.
Annually, the national hero title is given to Indonesians who significantly contribute to the nation’s progress. Suharto, who died in 2008, was among 10 recipients this year.
Suharto, a military officer, became president in 1967, taking over from Sukarno.
He led Indonesia through economic growth and stability, but his efforts unraveled during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.
Ahead of the ceremony, a Reuters reporter noted Suharto’s portrait among 10 honorees at Jakarta’s state palace.
In the portrait, Suharto wore his military uniform, placed between former President Abdurrahman Wahid and labor activist Marsinah, who was murdered during Suharto’s rule. “I can’t comment on the government’s decision. I’m here for Marsinah,” said the activist’s sister Marsini when asked about the award.
Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi encouraged Indonesians to “move forward together” when questioned about Marsinah, noting even heroes have flaws.
‘IGNORING PAST STRUGGLES’
Activists gathered in Jakarta last week to protest the hero title, highlighting concerns about historical revisionism.
Among them was Tadius Priyo Utomo, 47, who protested against Suharto in 1998. “Our struggles are ignored… we’re seen as traitors for opposing Suharto, now a hero,” Utomo told Reuters, having traveled from East Timor for the protest.
Under Suharto, Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, maintaining a harsh military presence until East Timor’s independence post-Suharto.
Suharto used the military to suppress dissent and was accused of corruption and nepotism, but was never trialed due to health issues.
Utomo claimed the current government comprises Suharto’s allies. Others fear Prabowo, once Suharto’s special forces commander and former son-in-law, might follow similar paths. Prabowo has faced human rights violation accusations, which he denies.
“Prabowo might replicate Suharto’s actions under his heroism shield,” said Marzuki Darusman, a former attorney general. He noted the military’s expanded role since Prabowo’s presidency.
“There’s nothing hidden,” stated Suharto’s daughter, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, after the ceremony. “We thank the president for honoring our father,” she added.
REVISING HISTORY
Suharto’s party, Golkar, still holds political influence, supporting Prabowo’s presidency and key cabinet roles. Political analyst Kevin O’Rourke warned that naming Suharto a hero might revise history and revive authoritarianism, though challenging given Indonesia’s democratic experience.
“Democracy is hard to reverse,” O’Rourke said, noting many Indonesians lack firsthand experience of Suharto’s rule.
However, many remember the hardships. Aksi Kamisan, a group demanding justice for Suharto’s victims, holds weekly vigils in Jakarta, dressed in black.
Many families remain unaware of missing relatives’ fates. Culture Minister Fadli Zon stated all candidates, including Suharto, met the hero criteria, and allegations of his involvement in the 1965 mass killings, which ended Sukarno’s rule, remain unproven.
Historians estimate 500,000 deaths during these killings, which Indonesia has yet to investigate.
