Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Indonesian activists protest plan to name Suharto a national hero
Some people in Indonesia are upset because the government wants to give a special award, called 'national hero,' to a former leader named Suharto.
Suharto was in charge of the country for a very long time, and some people remember his time as being very strict and having many bad things happen, like people being hurt or killed.
They think giving him this award is like saying those bad things didn't happen, which they call 'whitewashing' history.
Other people in the government say they followed rules to choose people for the award and that Suharto met the requirements.
The activists gathered to tell the government they don't want Suharto to be called a hero.
About 100 activists protested in Jakarta against naming former leader Suharto a national hero.
Protesters cited Suharto's alleged human rights violations and corruption as reasons he should not receive the honor.
Activists are concerned the move amounts to 'whitewashing' history and that the government is honoring a repressive past.
Government officials stated that Suharto and other candidates met the requirements for the national hero title after research and public input.
Suharto led Indonesia for 32 years under a military-backed 'New Order' regime before stepping down in 1998.
- Who
- About 100 activists, human rights groups (Amnesty International Indonesia, KontraS), and government officials (Social Ministry, Culture Ministry, President Prabowo Subianto)
- What
- Activists protested a government plan to grant late authoritarian leader Suharto national hero status.
- When
- Thursday (protest), annual honor bestowed on November 10
- Where
- Jakarta, Indonesia, near the presidential palace
- Why
- Activists believe Suharto's alleged human rights violations and corruption make him unworthy of the title and are concerned about historical revisionism.
Activists and Human Rights Groups
Government Officials
Suharto's Legacy
Activists and Human Rights Groups
Suharto's alleged human rights violations and corruption make him unworthy of the title of national hero, and granting him the honor would be 'whitewashing' history.
Government Officials
Suharto and other candidates have met the requirements for the national hero title after research and public input.
Justification for Hero Status
Activists and Human Rights Groups
If Suharto deserved to be a hero, he would not have stepped down or had his New Order regime overthrown.
Government Officials
Candidates are proposed based on their significant contributions to the country, with a formal process of research and public input.
- Location
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Date of Protest
- Thursday
- Number of Protesters
- About 100
- Proposed Honor
- National Hero Status
- Recipient of Proposed Honor
- Late authoritarian leader Suharto (among 48 others)
- Suharto's Rule
- 32 years of 'New Order' military-backed rule
- Alleged Deaths during Suharto's rule
- At least 500,000