Indonesia Names Suharto National Hero Despite Protests: ‘Past Struggles Disregarded’

A prominent figure from Central Java province, a hero of the struggle for independence, General Suharto stood out since the independence era,” an announcer said as Prabowo handed the award to Suharto’s daughter and son. Indonesia gained independence in 1945 from then colonial powers the Netherlands and Japan. Every year, the title of national hero is awarded to Indonesians who have contributed significantly to the Southeast Asian archipelago’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 he seized control of Indonesia from the country’s first president and independence leader, Sukarno.