Indonesia Faces Protests as Suharto Awarded ‘National Hero’ Status

Protests erupted after President Prabowo Subianto awarded the national hero title to the late President Suharto, sparking outrage over his legacy of human rights abuses and corruption. Indonesia faces protests after the government on Monday awarded the title of national hero to Suharto, who was forced out of office in 1998 after a three-decade rule marked by accusations of mass human rights violations, corruption, and nepotism. The title was conferred in a ceremony attended by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law. Suharto, who died in 2008, was one of 10 people who received the title on Monday. The deceased leader formally became President in 1967 after seizing control from Indonesia’s first President and independence leader Sukarno. Every year, the government awards the title of national hero to those who have significantly contributed to the Southeast Asian archipelago’s development.