JAKARTA — Support continues to grow for the government’s plan to bestow the title of National Hero upon Indonesia’s second president, Soeharto. Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Ahmad Muzani, affirmed that there are no longer any legal or moral barriers preventing the government from granting the honor.
“In previous sessions, the MPR issued a letter allowing the President — in this case, the government — to confer the honor upon former President Soeharto, as he has completed all legal processes, both criminal and civil,” Muzani said.
He added that Soeharto’s major contributions to the nation form a strong basis for the award. “He is considered to have made immense contributions and services to the country; therefore, there are no obstacles for the government to grant this honor to former President Soeharto,” Muzani explained.
According to Muzani, Soeharto’s service extended beyond the period of defending independence — it also encompassed efforts to preserve national unity and reconciliation following political turmoil. “So, in both criminal and civil terms, Pak Harto has undergone the necessary legal processes and is deemed worthy of recognition for his contributions to reconciliation, togetherness, and the unity of the nation,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Yusup Rahman Hakim, researcher and Deputy Director of the Intelligence and National Security Studies (INSS), argued that Soeharto’s potential recognition as a National Hero should be viewed within a comprehensive historical context. He noted that several of Soeharto’s policies had a profound and lasting impact on Indonesia’s long-term development.
“The massive school construction program in the early 1970s, the reformulation of the national development planning structure, and agricultural modernization in the 1980s were all part of the nation-building process that laid Indonesia’s current social and economic foundations,” Yusup explained.
He added that acknowledging Soeharto’s achievements does not mean ignoring criticism. “History must be recorded in full — with its accomplishments and consequences. That’s where the nation learns,” he said.
According to Yusup, a balanced reading of history reflects a nation’s maturity in democracy. “Discussions about Soeharto’s status as a National Hero are valid as long as they are based on factual evaluation rather than conflicting opinions,” he emphasized.
