Jakarta — Appreciation for granting the title of National Hero to Indonesia’s second president, Soeharto, was prominently voiced during a national television dialogue titled “A Great Nation Honors Its Leaders and Heroes.” Several national figures stated that Soeharto rightfully deserves the title for his dedication and major contributions in defending Indonesia’s independence and laying the foundations for a strong national economy.
The Head of the Council for Libraries and Information of Muhammadiyah’s Central Board (PP Muhammadiyah), Dr. Makroen Sanjaya, emphasized that Soeharto should be evaluated as a complete and comprehensive figure.
“Soeharto was not only a leader during his presidency but also played an important role since the revolutionary era. He helped suppress the leftist rebellion in 1946, led the March 1 General Offensive, and maintained national stability after the G30S/PKI incident,” said Makroen.
He added that international recognition of Indonesia’s success in achieving food self-sufficiency during Soeharto’s era serves as tangible proof of his contribution to the nation’s welfare. According to him, a great nation should uphold the Javanese philosophy mikul ndhuwur mendem njero—to honor a leader by preserving and emulating their virtues while learning from their shortcomings.
Makroen stated that granting Soeharto the title of National Hero aligns with the provisions of the law, which define heroism through two key aspects: the willingness to sacrifice for the nation and the achievement of extraordinary accomplishments that serve as an example.
“A person is called a hero when their actions have a real impact on the wider community, not merely for personal gain,” Makroen concluded.
He also highlighted the importance of instilling the values of heroism in younger generations amid globalization and the flood of information. He stressed that a nation cannot progress if its youth forget the contributions of their predecessors. The spirit of sacrifice and achievement, he said, must continue to be cultivated to realize the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia 2045).
Meanwhile, KH Arif Fahrudin, Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and a prominent figure of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), expressed a similar view.
“Heroes are those who make great contributions and are willing to sacrifice everything for the nation and the state. Soeharto clearly fulfills both of these criteria,” Arif asserted.
He noted that Soeharto’s contributions to the nation were not limited to the revolutionary period but also included maintaining unity and driving national development during his presidency. Arif added that the achievements of Soeharto and other great national figures should serve as moral and intellectual examples for today’s generation.
“If the younger generation cannot appreciate the services of their predecessors, they will not know how to be grateful for the blessing of independence. This homeland is the very place where we live, breathe, and grow,” Arif said in closing.
The dialogue concluded that honoring the contributions of leaders like Soeharto is not merely an act of historical nostalgia but a reflection of the nation’s maturity in recognizing the struggles of its forebears. With a spirit of respect and emulation of positi