Controversy Surrounds Proposal to Name Indonesia’s Former President Suharto a National Hero

A proposal to include Indonesia’s former military dictator Suharto on a list of national heroes has sparked opposition from rights advocates, who describe the nomination as a ‘betrayal’. Suharto, who ruled Indonesia for over three decades until his death in 2008, faced accusations of corruption and human rights abuses during his authoritarian regime. The allegations included violent suppression of political dissent. On November 4, around 500 civil society members, activists, and academics wrote a letter to President Prabowo Subianto, urging him, as Suharto’s son-in-law, to reconsider the decision. The letter highlighted concerns that naming Suharto a national hero would distort history and undermine democratic values.