Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Indonesia Honors Former Dictator Suharto as National Hero
Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia, recently honored a former dictator named Suharto as a national hero.
This decision made some people upset because Suharto did bad things when he was in power.
The country has a history of changing how it talks about its past leaders, and some people worry that this could lead to more problems in the future.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto awarded former dictator Suharto the title of National Hero posthumously
The decision sparked outrage from human rights groups but had a muted public response
Suharto's rule (1966-1998) was marked by economic growth, corruption, and human rights abuses
Indonesia has a history of rewriting history to favor its leaders
Prabowo's presidency has shown signs of reverting to New Order-style centralization of power
- Who
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
- What
- awarded former dictator Suharto the title of National Hero
- When
- Nov. 10
- Where
- Indonesia
- Why
- to honor his contributions to the nation, despite human rights abuses during his rule
Human Rights Groups
Indonesian Government
Suharto's Legacy
Human Rights Groups
Human rights abuses and corruption
Indonesian Government
Economic growth and national development
- Suharto's Rule
- 1966-1998
- Previous Presidents' Stance
- Considered but declined the move
- Public Response
- Muted, no mass demonstrations
- Prabowo's Background
- Suharto's former son-in-law, accused of human rights abuses
- Indonesia's Form
- Rewriting history to favor leaders