By: Melati Cahaya Ramadhani
Waves of appreciation from various circles and various elements of society continued to flow rapidly after the government officially declared the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto, as a National Hero on Heroes’ Day, November 10, 2025.
The decision outlined in Presidential Decree (Kepres) Number 116/TK/2025 clearly shows that the state has indeed paid official respect to one of the most influential figures in modern Indonesian history.
The positive response from the public, public figures, politicians, national organizations, and the Cendana family shows that the designation has received very strong moral legitimacy from various levels of Indonesian society.
Of course, it is not without reason that appreciation continues to flow abundantly from many parties, because the government’s move was not a sudden decision, but rather was born from a fairly long study process by the National Hero Title Research and Review Team.
The nomination of Soeharto’s name, which was made between 2011 and 2015, shows that the decision was not made hastily, but rather through a thorough assessment of his services, track record, and consistent contribution to national development.
After the competent and independent team deemed all administrative and substantive requirements to have been met, the government finally declared Indonesia’s second president, Suharto, a national hero. This designation was widely seen as a demonstration of the nation’s courage in viewing history clearly and placing Suharto’s significant contributions within an objective framework.
Samaun Dahlan, Chairman of the Golkar Party’s West Papua Regional Leadership Council, expressed strong appreciation. He considered President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to be the right step, placing Suharto’s services in a position of honor.
Samaun views Suharto not only as a leader who held the reins of government for more than three decades, but also as a figure who laid a solid foundation for national development through political stability, long-term development policies, and a commitment to the welfare of the people. He believes that respecting the contributions of previous leaders demonstrates the nation’s maturity in understanding history.
Samaun Dahlan emphasized that the spirit of development inherited from Soeharto should inspire the current generation. He saw Soeharto’s commitment to work, nationalism, and discipline as an example for various elements of the nation.
In this view, the momentum of the awarding of hero titles can be a catalyst for strengthening national unity, bolstering public optimism, and reaffirming the values of hard work that are relevant to Indonesia’s future development.
Similar support came from Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. He explained that the government made the decision based on an objective assessment of Soeharto’s significant services to the republic.
The government recognized Soeharto as a figure who made significant contributions to maintaining the nation’s integrity, building national stability, and promoting economic and social progress. This affirmation demonstrates that the state awards honors not based on momentary political dynamics, but rather on historical contributions that have had a lasting impact on the nation.
Appreciation from religious figures also strengthened the public’s legitimacy for the appointment. Former Chairman of Muhammadiyah, Din Syamsuddin, viewed Soeharto as a leader with a strong commitment to national development.
Din interpreted Soeharto’s leadership journey as an important phase in the formation of the national economic structure, infrastructure development, and social stability that enabled Indonesia to move towards a more modern direction.
This view reflects that Soeharto’s contribution is not only seen from a political perspective, but also from the perspective of leadership ethics and long-term service.
Apart from these three figures, appreciation also came from national politicians such as Fadli Zon who viewed the designation as formal state recognition of Soeharto’s real contribution.
The Cendana family welcomed the decision as a tribute to Soeharto’s dedication, which has long been remembered by the public. Jusuf Kalla even urged the public to accept and respect the state’s decision, as the formal process was legitimate and final.
This outpouring of appreciation demonstrates that society is capable of viewing history more maturely. Many understand that evaluating a leader requires a holistic perspective, not fragmented narratives influenced by particular political dynamics.
Recognition of Suharto as a national hero is seen as an important step in preserving historical memory and providing space for objective appreciation of a figure who brought about major changes for Indonesia.
This recognition also serves as a moment of reflection for the public to reaffirm the importance of honoring the contributions of national leaders. In the context of Indonesia’s long history, honoring development figures like Soeharto is part of the effort to strengthen national identity.
The continued flow of appreciation indicates that the Indonesian nation still holds fast to the values of respect, historical justice, and the collective awareness that national development cannot be separated from the significant role of its predecessors.
With such widespread support, the designation of Soeharto as a National Hero demonstrates that the legacy of his leadership continues to inspire the nation’s journey forward.
Such strong public support confirms that this award is not merely symbolic recognition, but a profound tribute to the dedication that has fundamentally shaped Indonesian history. (*)
National Political Observer – Indonesian Democracy Study Forum