Indonesia Awards Suharto National Hero Status Amid Global Backlash

Indonesia has awarded former authoritarian leader Suharto the title of national hero in a ceremony on Monday morning presided over by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto's ex-son-in-law. The move has sparked accusations of historical revisionism in the world's third-largest democracy. The title was conferred despite protests by pro-democracy activists who laid posters on the ground outside the Indonesian culture ministry in Jakarta, opposing the government's plan. The protesters cited Suharto's decades-long rule, which was marked by rampant corruption, nepotism, censorship, and allegations of mass human rights abuses. "This is a dark day for Indonesia," said activist Fadli Faisal, who was among the protesters. "We will not let the government erase our history and whitewash the atrocities committed by Suharto." Faisal's comments reflect the concerns of many Indonesians who fear that the government's move is an attempt to rewrite the country's history and silence the victims of Suharto's regime. Suharto's rule, which lasted from 1966 until his resignation in 1998, was marked by widespread human rights abuses, including the killing of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people in the 1965 anti-communist purge. His regime was also characterized by corruption and cronyism, with Suharto and his family amassing vast wealth and influence. The decision to award Suharto the title of national hero has been met with international criticism. "This is a shocking move that undermines the principles of democracy and human rights," said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch. "It sends a message that the Indonesian government is more interested in protecting its own interests than in upholding the rights of its citizens." The United States and other Western countries have also expressed concern over the move, with a State Department spokesperson calling it "a step backward for Indonesia's democratic progress." The current status of the move remains uncertain, with many Indonesians calling for a reversal of the decision. The government has shown no signs of backing down, however, with President Prabowo Subianto defending the move as a way to "honour the legacy" of Suharto. The controversy is likely to continue, with many Indonesians and international observers watching closely to see how the situation develops.