By: Rivka Mayangsari )*
The awarding of the title of National Hero to the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, General HM Soeharto, on Heroes’ Day, November 10, 2025, is a reflective moment for the Indonesian people to assess history with a cool head and a wise attitude. Amidst the pros and cons that have emerged in the public sphere, the public is urged to respond wisely, without getting caught up in political provocations that have the potential to divide national unity.
This award, stipulated in Presidential Decree No. 116/TK/2025, serves as a form of state respect for Suharto’s significant service in maintaining independence and building a solid economic foundation for modern Indonesia. The government emphasized that the decision was based on objective consideration of the deceased’s dedication and tangible contributions to the nation’s long journey.
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the government considers it crucial to maintain national stability amidst the varied public reactions to this decision. He believes that the nation’s primary challenge today is no longer physical warfare as in the past, but rather maintaining unity amidst the rapid flow of digitalization and increasingly complex differences of opinion. Therefore, he reminded the public not to be provoked by political rumors or slander deliberately spread to divide the nation.
Meanwhile, Kyai ES Mubarok, the caretaker of the Darus Syifa YASPIDA Sukabumi Islamic Boarding School, believes that the awarding of the title of National Hero to Soeharto must be approached with magnanimity and a spirit of historical objectivity. He believes that no leader is perfect, but Soeharto’s sincerity and devotion to the nation are historical facts that cannot be erased. For Mubarok, a great nation is one that is able to honor the services of its leaders and learn from each of its historical journeys.
In Mubarok’s view, Suharto was a leader highly dedicated to national development. He believes that Suharto’s contributions to strengthening the lives of Muslims and maintaining national stability are a valuable legacy that is still felt today. In his view, major achievements such as food self-sufficiency, price stability, and social calm during Suharto’s leadership demonstrate a leader’s ability to strike a balance between economic growth and the well-being of the people.
Mubarok also explained that Suharto played a role not only politically and economically, but also provided ample space for the development of Islamic preaching, Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), and religious educational institutions. He believed that Suharto understood that a nation’s strength lies not solely in physical development, but also in strengthening the faith and morals of its people. He believes that leaders like Suharto were able to combine nationalism and Islamic values in governance practices that emphasized unity and the welfare of the people.
In the cleric’s view, maintaining the integrity of the nation is a crucial part of Islamic teachings, and Suharto implemented this principle with sincerity and long service. The leadership values he inherited are considered in line with the spirit of Islam, which emphasizes the importance of togetherness, discipline, and social responsibility. Therefore, Mubarok encouraged students and the younger generation of Nahdliyyin (NU) to emulate Suharto’s spirit of hard work and discipline in building the nation.
Mubarok’s statement reflects the view of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) that honoring leaders is not merely a form of historical nostalgia, but also an acknowledgment of real contributions that have shaped the nation’s trajectory. He believes that differences of opinion within society regarding the awarding of hero titles are a natural part of a democracy. However, he emphasized that such differences must not escalate into conflict or political slander that would tarnish the spirit of national unity.
The government also calls on all citizens to reject all forms of provocation that attempt to exploit this momentum for narrow political interests. Demonstrations aimed at rejecting or delegitimizing state decisions will only worsen the national atmosphere and create new polarization within society. Instead, what is needed now is mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and a commitment to maintaining national unity and stability.
The awarding of the title of National Hero to Suharto was not intended to shut down criticism, but rather to reinforce the spirit of respect for the services and dedication of the nation’s leaders. Amidst political currents often fraught with provocation and manipulation of issues, the public needs to prioritize clear reasoning and a spirit of national unity.
The Indonesian nation has gone through various historical phases with all their dynamics and challenges. Now is the time for all elements of the nation to look forward with a positive spirit, embracing differences as strengths, and avoiding all forms of political slander that could undermine national unity. By responding wisely and rationally to the designation of heroes, the public demonstrates that Indonesia is a mature, civilized nation that upholds the value of unity above all short-term political interests.
)* Observer of social issues