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Indonesia names Suharto national hero despite rights abuses
Indonesia conferred national hero status on former dictator Suharto on Monday, a move met with fierce opposition from activists who accuse his regime of widespread human rights violations. The award ceremony, held at Jakarta's State Palace, was presided over by President Prabowo Subianto-Suharto's former son-in-law-and attended by the late leader's children.
Controversial legacy of economic growth and repression
Suharto ruled Indonesia from 1967 to 1998 under the "New Order" regime, a period marked by rapid economic expansion but also brutal political repression. Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of perceived dissidents were killed during his rule, including at least 500,000 alleged communists in the 1965-66 purges. His 1975 invasion of East Timor remains one of the Cold War's most violent military campaigns.
Despite systemic corruption and human rights abuses, Suharto's tenure saw Indonesia's economy grow at an average of 7% annually, slashing inflation from over 600% in 1966 to around 10%. By his resignation in 1998, the country had become Southeast Asia's largest economy-a legacy that earned him the moniker Bapak Pembangunan ("Father of Development"). Critics, however, allege he embezzled billions during his rule.
Protests and calls for historical accountability
Civil society groups have condemned the award as an attempt to "whitewash" Suharto's record. Amnesty International Indonesia warned it would "distort history," while nearly 16,000 people signed a petition opposing the nomination. On Monday, hundreds of security personnel were deployed in Jakarta ahead of planned demonstrations, following a protest last week where around 100 activists gathered.
"This is an attempt to distort history and whitewash the sins of Suharto's authoritarian regime."
Amnesty International Indonesia
Political ties and historical revisionism concerns
President Prabowo, a former general under Suharto, has faced scrutiny for his own alleged role in rights abuses, including the 1997-98 abductions of pro-democracy activists. His administration has recently pushed new history textbooks that critics say downplay New Order-era atrocities. The inclusion of Suharto's critics-like labor activist Marsinah, murdered in 1993, and former President Abdurrahman Wahid, a vocal opponent-among this year's honorees has done little to ease concerns.
Marsinah's death became a symbol of workers' rights struggles, while Wahid, who died in 2009, was known for challenging Suharto's authoritarianism while advocating democratic reforms.
Economic legacy vs. human rights record
Supporters argue Suharto's development policies laid the foundation for modern Indonesia, but activists emphasize the cost: decades of torture, forced disappearances, and suppressed civil liberties. His 1998 resignation amid financial crisis protests allowed a peaceful transition, yet his state funeral in 2008 reflected lingering divisions over his legacy.
For over a decade, efforts to honor Suharto stalled due to his controversial record. Prabowo's election last year revived these attempts, raising fears of historical revisionism.
