Controversial late Indon president named national hero
Indonesia has bestowed the title of national hero on the late President Suharto, who was deposed in 1998 amid violent protests that ended three decades of rule marred by accusations of massive human rights abuses, corruption and nepotism.
The title was awarded in a ceremony overseen by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, despite protests from pro-democracy activists and families affected by the dictator’s iron-fisted rule.
Prabowo took office a year ago.
“A well-known figure from the Central Java province, a hero of the struggle for independence, General Suharto has distinguished himself since the independence period,” an announcer said as Prabowo handed the award to Suharto’s daughter and son.
Indonesia gained independence from the then colonial powers of the Netherlands and Japan in 1945.
Every year, Indonesians who have made significant contributions to the development of the Southeast Asian archipelago are awarded the title of national heroes. Suharto, who died in 2008, was one of 10 people to receive the title on Monday.
Suharto, a military officer, officially became president in 1967 after wresting control of Indonesia from Sukarno, the country’s first president and independence leader.
He guided Indonesia through three decades of rapid economic growth and stability, but saw much of his work unravel as the country descended into chaos during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.
On Monday morning, before the ceremony, a Reuters reporter spotted Suharto’s portrait in the center of Jakarta’s state palace among an exhibition of framed photographs of the 10 people to be named national heroes.
Suharto was wearing his military uniform in the portrait, which was placed between a photo of former president Abdurrahman Wahid and labor activist Marsinah, who was kidnapped and killed during Suharto’s rule.
When asked by journalists about Marsinah receiving the award along with Suharto, the activist’s sister, Marsini, said: “The government has decided. I can’t… it’s not my right. I’m only here for Marsinah.”
Presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi on Monday called on Indonesians to “look forward together” when asked about Marsinah, adding that the newly created heroes also have their shortcomings.
Activists gathered in Jakarta last week to protest the proposed granting of the title, reflecting broader concerns about historical revisionism in the country.
Among them was Tadius Priyo Utomo, a 47-year-old Indonesian who had lived in East Timor for the past 19 years and was one of tens of thousands of students who staged a nationwide protest against Suharto in 1998.
“Our past struggles will be ignored… we are traitors to the country because we fought Suharto and he is now a hero,” Utomo told Reuters last week at a protest in Jakarta, where he flew from East Timor’s capital Dili specifically to attend.
Under Suharto, Indonesia invaded East Timor at the end of Portuguese rule in 1975 and annexed the territory later that year, maintaining a heavy and sometimes harsh military presence. East Timor only gained independence after Suharto was forced to resign.
Suharto, a former soldier, used the military to dominate civilian affairs and crush dissent. He was also accused of large-scale corruption and nepotism that benefited his family and friends, but neither charge was proven and he was never tried due to his failing health.
