A title has been granted to one-time autocratic head Suharto the designation of hero of the nation, in a move that has ignited accusations of historical revisionism in the globe's number three democratic state.
This honor has deepened concerns about attempts to downplay Suharto’s ascension and decades-long rule, an era characterized by pervasive dishonesty, media suppression and claims of mass human rights violations.
The designation was conferred in a event on Monday morning led by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, in spite of demonstrations by democracy advocates and the loved ones of those affected by the autocrat's harsh leadership.
“A notable personality from Central Java, a icon of the quest for liberation, Suharto made his mark since the independence era,” a speaker said as the President gave the honor to Suharto’s children.
The nation achieved freedom in 1945 from the colonial authorities Netherlands and the Japanese.
The former leader, who ruled Indonesia for several decades, was removed from office amid widespread rallies and deadly riots during an economic crisis in 1998. He died in 2006 aged 86.
The President, who married and later divorced Suharto’s daughter Siti Hediati, has in the past publicly lauded his former father-in-law, and personally faced backlash for the growing influence of the military in civilian life since he assumed office last year.
The Indonesian president, a one-time special ops leader, was removed from the armed forces the same year his wife's father was overthrown, amid allegations he was connected to the disappearances of rights advocates. He has always denied wrongdoing in relation to the claims.
Defending the bestowal of hero status on Suharto, Indonesia’s cultural affairs head, Fadli Zon, said Suharto was deserving of the recognition because of the defense actions he was engaged in, including fighting against the Dutch in 1949. He rejected that the leader was implicated in the killings of at least 500,000 alleged communists in 1965-66.
But rights defenders have described the promotion of Suharto as astonishing.
“How could the figure most responsible for one of an enormous historical slaughter, when he seized power, be designated a national hero? It’s completely ridiculous,” said Usman of Amnesty International Indonesia.
“It is a obvious covering up of past atrocities. This verdict overlooks the desires of the public, including victims of rights abuses who persist in calling for justice.”
Officials did not promptly issue a statement to these allegations.
Conversations of designating Suharto a national icon has also ignited protests in the capital, where in the past few days demonstrators have rallied near the leader's office holding placards saying “Halt the revisionism of the leader of killings” and “Many perished but the nation chose to forget”.
