By: Aditya Nugraha )*
The conferment of the title of National Hero on the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, General H.M. Soeharto, on Heroes’ Day on November 10, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the nation’s journey. The decision affirmed that the state would continue to honor figures who had made significant contributions to national unity, political stability, and economic development, which laid the foundation for Indonesia’s modern era. However, calls for demonstrations of rejection have emerged, demanding public maturity to maintain order, avoid provocation, and prioritize national interests over differences of opinion.
The government emphasized that the title was awarded based on an objective assessment of Soeharto’s services, not to eliminate room for criticism of shortcomings during his reign. The determination, through Presidential Decree Number 116/TK/2025, was made through a rigorous selection process by an independent team that assessed the figures’ historical contributions to Indonesia. Therefore, the award is a state decision based on comprehensive considerations, not short-term political considerations.
Amidst the dynamics of public opinion, the call to maintain conducive conditions is highly relevant. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi believes that respect for heroic values should be reflected in actions to maintain social peace and refrain from provocation. He believes that the challenge for today’s generation is no longer physical warfare, but rather how to manage differences of opinion amidst the rapid flow of digital information. A mature attitude in accepting state decisions is a symbol of democratic maturity and a reflection of a love for unity.
This spirit is also emphasized by the state security sector. The Chief of the Indonesian National Police, Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, believes that national stability can only be maintained if the public rejects provocative calls that have the potential to degrade the quality of public space. The National Police have prepared preventive measures to maintain security, provide protection to the public, and ensure that freedom of expression operates within the law. However, he emphasized that national peace depends not only on the apparatus, but also on the collective awareness of the public to not provide space for efforts to divide unity.
Amidst the debate over history, the awarding of Suharto as a National Hero also serves as a testament to democratic maturity. Differences of opinion are natural, but a great nation is one that is able to place debates in a civilized space. Mature democracy does not judge the intensity of protests as a measure of its quality, but prioritizes how the public respects state decisions rationally and proportionally. The decision also received widespread support from various groups, including local governments, community organizations, religious leaders, and civil society elements who considered Suharto to have made significant contributions to Indonesia’s development.
Recognition of this service was also conveyed by Dr. Makroen Sanjaya, Chairman of the Library and Information Council of PP Muhammadiyah, who views Suharto as a pivotal figure in the course of Indonesian history. He considered Suharto’s role in maintaining independence, including his involvement in the General Offensive of March 1, 1949, a crucial moment in the recognition of Indonesian sovereignty. According to him, the development legacy left behind through the Repelita (Five-Year Development Plan), rice self-sufficiency, and infrastructure and regional development demonstrated a significant contribution to the people’s welfare. In his view, appreciating the services of national figures does not mean eliminating the opportunity to evaluate past policies, but rather placing history within an objective framework free from emotional bias.
This award ceremony should serve as a reminder to today’s generation that maintaining unity is far more important than exaggerating differences. Calls for provocative demonstrations will only diminish the quality of national dialogue and weaken the nation’s social resilience. Amid increasingly complex global challenges, Indonesia needs political and social stability to strengthen the foundations of development. Therefore, rejecting provocation is not only an act of maintaining order but also a commitment to continuing the struggle of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for Indonesian unity.
People in various regions are expected to maintain calm, refrain from actions that could harm the commemoration of Heroes’ Day, and express their aspirations through constitutional means. The spirit of mutual cooperation, tolerance, and respect for national symbols must be maintained as part of the nation’s identity. This firm stance is crucial to prevent the public sphere from being dominated by narratives that lead to polarization and horizontal conflict.
The award to Soeharto should be interpreted as a moment to strengthen the nation, not a source of unproductive unrest. All parties need to realize that building Indonesia cannot be done in an atmosphere of tension. A sense of unity and the ability to maintain conducive conditions are the primary requirements for this nation to stand tall in facing the future. By prioritizing calm, rationality, and respect for the state’s decisions, the Indonesian people have truly continued the spirit of service of the heroes.
)* The author is a Strategic Issues Observer