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1h ago

Indonesia Confers National Hero Title on Suharto

Rights groups call the honor a whitewash of past abuses.

Former Indonesian President Suharto waves to the media in Jakarta March 8,1996. REUTERS/Enny Nuraheni
Activists hold placards depicting former Indonesian President Suharto during a protest against government's plans to name him a national hero, outside the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 6, 2025. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and Bambang Trihatmodjo stand beside the photograph of former Indonesian president Suharto, as he receives the title of a national hero during National Heroes' Day at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 10, 2025. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
In the late 1990s, deadly riots preceded Indonesian dictator Suharto's fall

Overview

  • In a decree read at the State Palace on National Hero Day, Suharto was named among 10 new honorees on Indonesia’s official roster.
  • President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, presided over the ceremony in Jakarta.
  • Nearly 500 activists, academics and victims’ families had urged the president to drop the plan, and rights group Kontras said the move normalizes impunity.
  • State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi defended the decision as recognition of leaders who made extraordinary contributions to the nation.
  • The 2025 slate also honored former president Abdurrahman Wahid and slain labor activist Marsinah, while Suharto’s children attended and welcomed the recognition.