Palace Defends Soeharto's National Hero Bid Amid Controversy, Says No Leader Is Perfect

April 21, 2025 | 04:31 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's State Secretary Minister and Presidential Spokesperson, Prasetyo Hadi, stated that the government does not object to the proposal of the national hero title for the Indonesia's second former President Soeharto.

"It is only appropriate for us to show respect to our former presidents. Let’s not constantly dwell on their flaws, let's acknowledge their achievements," said Prasetyo when met at the Presidential Palace on Monday, April 21, 2025.

According to Prasetyo, each president has their own set of problems and they all have made contributions. He mentioned that it is not easy for a president to lead a large population, therefore, the problems that constantly arise are not easily known.

"As President (Prabowo Subianto) has always mentioned, we have come this far because of the achievements of our predecessors," said Prasetyo.

Responding to Soeharto's corruption case, Prasetyo stated that there is no perfect leader. However, he emphasized that the issue is not about Soeharto's shortcomings.

"Our intention is to always uphold respect, particularly for our Presidents," Prasetyo said. said Prasetyo.

The name Soeharto is among the 10 proposed to receive the national hero title by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

However, the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) urged the Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, and the Council for Bestowal of Heroes, Awards, and Honorary Titles to not propose Soeharto's name to be honored as a hero in 2025.

"We consider this proposal as an attempt to erase history and whitewash the crimes committed by Soeharto," said the Head of Impunity Monitoring Division of KontraS, Jane Rosalina, to Tempo on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Jane believes that the proposal to bestow a national hero title to Soeharto gained momentum after the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) revoked Soeharto's name from Article 4 of MPR Decree Number 9 of 1998 concerning the Organizers of a Clean State Free from Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism in September 2024. MPR revoked Soeharto's name specifically mentioned in Article 4.

Jane argued that the proposal to revoke Soeharto’s name from consideration for national hero status was problematic, as the People’s Consultative Assembly no longer holds the authority to issue legal decisions following the post-Reformation amendments to the 1945 Constitution.

Moreover, during his 32-year rule, Soeharto was linked to numerous incidents of violence against civilians, environmental degradation, human rights abuses, gender-based violence, and the misuse of power, yet he was never held legally accountable or provided justice to the victims.

The petition also cited findings by the National Commission on Human Rights, which investigated Soeharto's administration and identified nine cases of gross human rights violations that occurred during his presidency.

These include the 1965-1966 mass killings; the Mysterious Shootings (1982-1985); the Tanjung Priok tragedy (1984); the Talangsari incident (1989); abuses in Rumoh Geudong and Pos Sattis (1989-1998); the enforced disappearances of 1997-1998; the Trisakti, Semanggi I, and Semanggi II shootings (1998–1999); the May 1998 riots; and the killing of alleged sorcerers (1998-1999).

Currently, the Directorate General of Social Empowerment at the Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Central Title Research and Review Team (TP2GP), is reviewing a list of ten proposed candidates for the title of national hero. Among those under consideration are two former presidents: Soeharto and Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur.

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