Indonesia added former dictator Suharto to its list of “national heroes” on Monday (10 November 2025), despite opposition from activists and academics who questioned the late military leader’s human rights record.
Former ruler Suharto was added to the catalog of Indonesia’s national heroes along with nine others in a decree read out by President Kosasi, the military chief.
President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s son-in-law, led the National Heroes Day ceremony.
The list also includes murdered labor activist Malsina and former president Abdulrahman Wahid, who died in 2009.
In Indonesia, it is common to have a single name such as Suharto, Kosasi, or Marusina.
“We respect our ancestors”
Secretary of State Prasetyo Hadi on Monday defended the recognition of the former military dictator as a national hero.
“It is certainly part of our way of paying homage to our ancestors, especially our leaders, who have 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 30 years after coming to power in 1967 following a failed military coup.
The former general’s government faced allegations of human rights abuses, including corruption and violent repression of dissidents.
Last week, around 500 civil society representatives, activists and academics published a letter to President Prabowo urging him to reject Suharto’s appointment, calling it a betrayal of his victims and democratic values.
mg (AFP, Reuters)
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