Daftarsbmptn.com – The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Social Affairs, has proposed Suharto as a candidate for the title of national hero. This proposal is included in a list of approximately 40 figures nominated for the title.
Several figures, such as Fadli Zon, have stated that Suharto meets the administrative requirements for the title.
However, this plan has also drawn strong criticism from human rights activists and academics, who have called it an attempt at “whitewashing” or historical whitewashing.
Political Risks for Prabowo
As the current President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto is in a rather sensitive position in handling this discourse due to several factors:
Historical ties: Suharto is a highly controversial figure on the one hand, revered as the “Father of Development,” on the other, remembered for violations such as the 1965-66 disturbances, human rights violations, and authoritarianism.
Implications for public perception: If the title is awarded without full recognition of the historical context, it could undermine public trust in Prabowo’s commitment to justice, accountability, and reform.
Potential for social polarization: The appointment of figures who have caused collective pain can provoke resistance, strengthen ties, and exacerbate tensions between groups that support and oppose it. For example, the protests launched by human rights activists against this plan.
Risk to government legitimacy: If the government is perceived as “whitewashing” or revising history for short-term political gains, the promised narrative of reform and democracy could be perceived as inconsistent by the wider public.
Recent Reactions and Dynamics
House Speaker Puan Maharani emphasized that Suharto’s track record must be examined before granting titles, indicating that the legislative body views this discourse as inseparable from historical contestation.
The Head of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)’s Fatwa Division stated that society should not continually bring up the dark past, exerting pressure for “reconciliation” in the name of unity.
Activists and former officials such as Marzuki Darusman strongly rejected the plan, viewing it as a disregard for victims of human rights violations.
Broader Meaning and Implications
The decision to designate a national hero is not merely administrative: it carries symbolic, historical, and political significance. If implemented, this plan could be seen as a signal of how the country is dealing with the legacy of the New Order—whether as a stage of reconciliation or simply a selective reassessment.
For Prabowo, this choice is a crossroads: supporting the proposal could garner sympathy from a base nostalgic for the New Order, but also carry the burden of criticism from reform and human rights groups. Conversely, withdrawing or making a decision could be seen as a wise move to quell social conflict, but could also be seen as insufficiently decisive by supporters of rapid development.
Demonstrate Historical Review & Government Response
The current government is led by several figures who have emphasized that the proposal must undergo in-depth study. For example, Yasonna Laoly stated that conferring the title of hero to Soeharto must be based on the spirit of reform and must be done with caution to avoid sparking significant controversy.
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On the other hand, Puan Maharani, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, requested that the entire historical record of the proposed figure be thoroughly analyzed, including the social and human rights impacts.
Social Barriers & Public Perception
Public opposition has been quite strong. An article by the IDN Times stated that for many, Soeharto remains a symbol of voice control, the silencing of critics, and the troubled New Order era.
Several think tanks, such as the Public Virtue Research Institute, believe that Soeharto’s appointment as a hero could be interpreted as “a symbol of the return of authoritarianism” and raises concerns about historical revision.
Special Risks for Prabowo
Legitimacy of Reform: If Prabowo appears to support or facilitate the proposal without a transparent and comprehensive explanation, his commitment to the values of reform, human rights, and transparency could be questioned.
Political Base and Image: While some political bases view Soeharto as a symbol of development and stability, others see him as a symbol of the stifling of democracy. Prabowo, with his close political and family ties to the New Order (including family ties through his brother-in-law), could feel pressure to choose the right position to avoid losing support from both camps.
Internal Coalition Conflict: Support for this proposal may create friction within the party or governing coalition, as some parties and coalition figures voice caution about the proposal. Prabowo, as the coalition leader or key figure in the government, must take these sensitivities into account.
Potential Decisions & Future Implications
If the decision to award Soeharto the title of hero is continued:
It could foster a new narrative that the New Order era is a positive legacy recognized by the state, while also sparking debate about how the state responds to historical trauma.
It could trigger efforts to revise historical narratives in schools, museums, and the public, as Reuters warned that Indonesia “fears that dark history may be rewritten” to improve the image of certain figures.
From the perspective of the Prabowo administration, this decision could be a symbolic achievement for groups that support him, but it could also pose a burden if international or domestic criticism arises regarding human rights and historical truth.
Conclusions
The discourse on the designation of a hero for Soeharto highlights how Indonesian history remains an active political arena. For Prabowo Subianto, how he handles this issue will have implications for his leadership image and commitment to democratic values and human rights. The decision is not just about titles it is about how the nation chooses to remember the past and shape the future.
The proposal to designate Suharto a hero is not simply an administrative matter or a formal tribute, but a powerful symbolic arena in Indonesian politics. For Prabowo Subianto, how he handles this decision whether as a passive observer, mediator, or initiative taker will speak volumes about his political direction, his commitment to reform, and his image in the eyes of the public and the world.
This decision regarding the designation could be an opportunity or a pitfall depending on how the process is managed honestly, openly, and with respect for all parties affected.