Indonesia Names ‘National Hero’ to Late Dictator Suharto

The Indonesian government named the late dictator Suharto a national hero on Monday, a move that has been criticized by human rights activists amid allegations of the militarization of institutions by President and former general Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo, against whom NGOs and activists organized a protest in Jakarta joined by fewer than a hundred people, led the decoration ceremony where nine other individuals received the same distinction as Suharto (1967-1998) for their ‘exceptional contributions to the nation.’ ‘Suharto was overthrown by the people, who were fed up with the ruling regime at that time. So, does he deserve the title of hero at the end of his life, known for leading an authoritarian and fascist regime that attacked and oppressed the people? That’s why we reject the title of hero for Suharto,’ said Ardi, a 22-year-old law student who protested in the Indonesian capital.