TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Social Affairs proposed naming Soeharto as a national hero, a suggestion that has since been accepted by the Palace. The former president is one of 40 individuals proposed to receive the national hero title.
Currently, President Prabowo Subianto, along with the Council of Honorary Titles and Medals, is reviewing the complete proposal. The final list of recipients will be officially announced on November 10, 2025, which coincides with National Heroes Day.
Ahead of the announcement, the wave of rejection from civil society regarding Soeharto's inclusion on the list has grown massive. Several civil society groups have repeatedly demonstrated their strong disagreement with the prospect of Soeharto receiving the title.
Demonstrators from the Civil Society Movement for Holding Soeharto Accountable (Gemas) stormed the Ministry of Culture office in Jakarta on Thursday, November 6, 2025. They argue that conferring the title on Soeharto would compromise the integrity of heroism in Indonesia.
Gemas representative, Axel Primayoga, cited Soeharto's involvement in human rights violations and corruption, collusion, and nepotism, stating that this track record makes Soeharto unworthy of the national hero title.
Criteria for National Hero
The title of national hero is traditionally awarded to individuals who have fought against colonialism in Indonesia or who have died defending the nation. The title is also given to figures who, during their lifetime, demonstrated heroic actions and produced remarkable achievements and works for the development and progress of the Republic of Indonesia.
Axel further highlighted Soeharto's repressive leadership. According to him, the New Order regime under Soeharto suppressed the people and silenced critical societal voices.
Various serious human rights violations also occurred during Soeharto's leadership. "From 1965 to May 1998 and its residues, thousands of lives were lost without justice," said Axel.
He also referred to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Mandate Number XI/MPR/1998, which stated that Soeharto must be held accountable for various corruption, collusion, and nepotism cases.
While this decision was revoked by the MPR last year, Axel considers the revocation problematic. He asserted that the efforts to remove Soeharto's name from the MPR decision were unfounded and were an attempt to manipulate the law so that Soeharto could bear the title of national hero.
Echoes of Rejection
The rejection of conferring the title on Soeharto was also prominent during the Kamisan Action. Dozens of people from the Activists Network of Solidarity for the Victims' Justice staged a peaceful protest across from the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, November 6, 2025, demanding that the government not bestow the title upon the former New Order president.
The opposition also extends beyond civil society. Franz Magnis-Suseno, a respected Catholic priest and philosophy lecturer, publicly rejected the proposal.
Father Magnis stated that Soeharto's alleged corruption during the New Order era makes him unworthy of national hero status. "Soeharto committed massive corruption. He enriched his family, others, his close associates, and himself. That does not make him a national hero," said Father Magnis during a discussion titled Rejecting the Title of Soeharto as a Hero at the LBH Office, Jakarta, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Furthermore, he asserted that Soeharto was responsible for the 1965-1966 genocide, which claimed millions of lives, stating that national heroes should not commit ethical violations, let alone crimes.
Arguments in Support
However, amid the rejection, some parties have expressed support for conferring the title. One key supporter is Asrorun Niam Sholeh, Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council in the Fatwa Unit.
He argued that all former presidents deserve the title of national hero without exception. "Pak Karno (Sukarno), Pak Harto, Pak Habibie, and Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid) are national leaders who deserve to be heroes," Niam said in his statement on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
He believes the Prabowo Subianto administration is demonstrating statesmanship by including Soeharto's name, viewing it as an effort to embrace and build national harmony.
Niam then urged the Indonesian people not to dwell on Soeharto's dark history and past, arguing that no one is perfect. "No matter how great a person is, if sought, they will have faults and weaknesses. However, Islam commands to remember their goodness and bury and forgive their mistakes," said the UIN Jakarta professor.
Official Response
Responding to the pros and cons, the Chair of the Council of Honorary Titles and Medals, Fadli Zon, maintained that Soeharto meets the requirements for the title. He said the proposal regarding Soeharto had fulfilled the requirements not only from his side but also from various regional levels (regencies, cities, or provinces).
The proposal is said to be re-evaluated by the Central Research and Evaluation Team for Titles and Medals, which consists of historians, academics, religious figures, and activists. "So it meets the requirements. There are no problems, and it comes from the people as well," said Fadli Zon on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Hendrik Yaputra and Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to the report.
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