Indonesia included former dictator Suharto on its list of “national heroes” on Monday (10/11/2025), despite objections from activists and academics who question the human rights record of the late former military leader.
In a decree read by Presidential Military Secretary Kusasih, former ruler Suharto was added to the list of Indonesian National Heroes along with nine others.
President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s son-in-law, presided over the National Heroes Day ceremony.
Others on the list include slain labor activist Marcina and former president Abdirahman Wahid, who died in 2009.
In Indonesia it is common for people to have one name such as Suharto, Kusasih or Marsina.
“We honor our ancestors”
Foreign Minister Prasetyo Hadi on Monday defended the former military dictator’s designation as a national hero.
“It’s part of the way we honor our ancestors, especially our leaders, who certainly made extraordinary contributions to the nation,” he told reporters.
Suharto, who died in 2008 at the age of 86, ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for more than three decades, after taking power in 1967 after a failed military coup.
The former general’s regime faced allegations of corruption and human rights abuses, including violent repression of political opponents.
Last week, about 500 civil society representatives, activists and academics published a letter sent to President Prabowo rejecting Suharto’s appointment, considering it a betrayal of his victims and democratic values.
mg (AFP, Reuters)
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