By: Dika Ramadhan
The conferment of the National Hero title to Indonesia’s second president, Soeharto, has received strong support from various elements and layers of society.
This major wave of support also comes from Indonesia’s two largest Islamic organizations—Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah—both of which share a similar stance, fully endorsing the government’s move to bestow the national honor upon Soeharto.
This support reflects the growing spirit of historical reconciliation and recognition of the significant contributions made by Indonesia’s great national figures throughout the Republic’s long journey.
Dr. Makroen Sanjaya, Head of the Library and Information Council of Muhammadiyah’s Central Executive Board (PP Muhammadiyah), stated that Soeharto made substantial contributions to Indonesia’s development and progress.
He emphasized that Soeharto’s role did not begin and end with his presidency, but had already been evident during the physical struggle for Indonesia’s independence.
According to Makroen, Soeharto was directly involved in guerrilla warfare and played a strategic role in the 1 March 1949 General Offensive, a pivotal event that helped secure international recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty.
Makroen underlined that Muhammadiyah honors Soeharto’s service and dedication to the nation. In the organization’s view, Soeharto led Indonesia into a more structured era of development through strategic policies such as the Five-Year Development Plans (Repelita).
He also noted major achievements during Soeharto’s leadership, including rice self-sufficiency in the 1980s, the success of the Family Planning (KB) program, and the maintenance of political and economic stability throughout more than three decades of governance.
Makroen further explained that Muhammadiyah’s perspective on Soeharto is not a sudden development. It aligns with the organization’s principle of honoring national leaders, as shown in 2012 when Muhammadiyah also supported the proposal for Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, to be named a National Hero.
In Muhammadiyah’s view, both Soekarno and Soeharto made profound contributions that remain etched in the nation’s history—Soekarno during the struggle for independence, and Soeharto during the period of national development.
He also referred to President Prabowo Subianto’s statement calling for respect toward the nation’s predecessors. Makroen saw this sentiment as consistent with Muhammadiyah’s values, which place respect for national figures as part of character and civic education.
He recalled that Soeharto had a historical connection with Muhammadiyah. During the 43rd Muhammadiyah Congress in Banda Aceh in 1995, Soeharto famously described himself as a “seed of Muhammadiyah,” reflecting the ideological and historical ties between him and the oldest Islamic organization in Indonesia.
From Nahdlatul Ulama’s side, KH Arif Fahrudin, an NU figure and Deputy Secretary-General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), shared a similar view. He believed Soeharto deserved to be awarded the National Hero title due to his significant contributions in maintaining Indonesia’s political and economic stability.
According to him, Soeharto’s era marked a turning point in Indonesia’s economic rise, during which the country emerged as one of Asia’s new economic powers.
KH Arif noted that Soeharto’s contributions were not limited to economic development but also extended to strengthening social and religious life within the community. He emphasized that history should be read in its entirety, acknowledging both successes and shortcomings. No leader is perfect, he said, but their service and dedication must be recognized.
In addition, KH Arif mentioned that Indonesia’s fourth president, Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), also deserves recognition for his role in advancing democracy and national reconciliation after the reform era. According to Arif, both Soeharto and Gus Dur, though serving in different historical phases, played equally significant roles in shaping Indonesia’s national direction.
He praised the government’s decision to process Soeharto’s nomination as a sign of political maturity, reflecting President Prabowo Subianto’s statesmanship in uniting diverse national elements and revitalizing the spirit of unity. Arif urged the public to move beyond past grievances and instead view history as a mirror for the future.
Support from these two major Islamic organizations marks a new chapter in how the nation perceives its history. Recognizing Soeharto’s contributions does not mean overlooking the flaws of the past, but rather acknowledging the dedication and hard work of a leader who served his country.
In an increasingly dynamic national context, appreciation for the services of great leaders is essential so that future generations learn to value the long and complex process of nation-building.
Historical reconciliation is not about determining who was right or wrong, but about a nation’s ability to honor every citizen who contributed to Indonesia’s independence and progress.
In this spirit, the support from NU and Muhammadiyah for awarding Soeharto the National Hero title represents a collective maturity—an understanding that honoring past contributions is the foundation for moving forward toward a more united and resilient Indonesia.
The author is a Public Policy Observer.
