Jakarta – Calls from various elements of society to bestow the title of National Hero upon Indonesia’s 2nd President, H.M. Soeharto, continue to intensify.
Community organizations, researchers, and religious leaders agree that the title would be a fitting tribute to honor Soeharto’s dedication and service to the Indonesian nation.
Chairman of the Central Organization of Indonesian Self-Supporting Workers (Sentral Organisasi Karyawan Swadiri Indonesia / SOKSI), Mukhamad Misbakhun, asserted that Soeharto was not merely a political leader but also the architect of modern Indonesia’s development.
“President Soeharto was not just a political leader — he was the architect of modern Indonesia’s development. He laid the foundations for a strong economy and enduring national stability,” said Misbakhun.
According to SOKSI, Soeharto embodied both the spirit of a fighter and the wisdom of a statesman who established a structured direction for national development.
Researcher and Deputy Director of the Intelligence and National Security Studies (INSS) institute, Yusup Rahman Hakim, stated that if the definition of a hero is tied to the long-term impact of public policy and development, then Soeharto fully meets that criterion.
“The massive school construction in the early 1970s, the reformulation of national development planning, and the agricultural modernization of the 1980s were part of a nation-building process that shaped the social and economic foundations of today’s Indonesia,” Yusup explained.
He emphasized that recognizing one’s contributions does not mean erasing criticism, but rather acknowledging history in its entirety.
Religious figures also affirmed that such recognition reflects the maturity of a nation in honoring the legacy of its leaders.
Chairman of the Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), KH Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh, stated that a great nation is one that respects the services of its heroes and leaders.
“Every era has its heroes. We must appreciate the struggles of our national leaders — including former presidents who have guided Indonesia. They are heroes of the nation,” said Ni’am.
He reminded the public not to harbor resentment or dwell on the shortcomings of past leaders, as no human being is without flaws.
A similar view was expressed by Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) executive, Ahmad Fahrur Rozi, also known as Gus Fahrur. He noted that both Soeharto and Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) made major contributions in two distinct historical periods that shaped the nation’s trajectory.
According to him, Indonesians must learn from both the strengths and weaknesses of past leaders to build a more dignified and civilized future.
“In Islamic tradition, there is an important principle: al-muhafazhah ‘ala al-qadim ash-shalih wal akhdzu bil jadid al-ashlah — to preserve the good from the past while embracing new things that are better,” Gus Fahrur concluded. #