State Appreciation for Development Dedication: Soeharto Officially Awarded the Title of National Hero
JAKARTA — The government has officially conferred the title of National Hero upon Indonesia’s second president, H. M. Soeharto, as a form of state appreciation for his extraordinary dedication in building the nation’s economic foundation, infrastructure, and national resilience. This conferment marks an important moment in recognizing Soeharto’s major contributions as a leader who left a deep imprint on Indonesia’s development history.
The award also reaffirms the state’s acknowledgment of Soeharto’s role as the “Father of Development,” a title granted by the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in 1982 for his success in achieving food self-sufficiency and implementing the Five-Year Development Programs (Repelita), which became the foundation for national progress across various sectors.
Member of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the Golkar Party representing Papua, Robert J. Kardinal, welcomed the government’s decision positively. He stated that Soeharto made invaluable strategic contributions to preserving the unity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), particularly through his role in liberating West Irian from Dutch control.
“Soeharto truly deserves the title of National Hero for his service and strategic role in the liberation of West Irian (now Papua) from Dutch rule in the early 1960s,” Robert emphasized in Jakarta.
Robert explained that during his tenure as Commander of the Mandala Command, Soeharto led Operation Mandala, which successfully pressured the Dutch into signing the 1962 New York Agreement—marking the return of West Irian to Indonesia. He said this success demonstrated Soeharto’s ability to strategically combine military and diplomatic power.
“The transmigration program he implemented also played an important role in promoting equitable welfare and strengthening national integration, especially in eastern regions such as Papua,” Robert added.
A similar sentiment was expressed by the Secretary-General of the Central Executive Board of Angkatan Muda Satkar Ulama Indonesia (AMSI), Azrizal Nasri, who stated that Soeharto’s leadership focused not only on physical development but also on the holistic development of the Indonesian people.
“Soeharto did not only build roads and buildings—he built Indonesian civilization,” he said.
Azrizal explained that through policies such as the nine-year compulsory education program and his support for religious and social organizations like Satkar Ulama Indonesia, Soeharto sought to establish a balance between the spiritual, moral, and economic development of the nation.
“Soeharto succeeded in maintaining harmony between religion and the state. A figure like him deserves to be remembered and honored as a national hero,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stated that the conferment of the title reflects the nation’s maturity in honoring the contributions of its past leaders. According to him, this recognition proves that Indonesia is a nation that respects history and the service of its leaders.
“We must appreciate the contributions of our leaders—such as Mr. Soeharto, Mr. BJ Habibie, and Gus Dur. They all made significant contributions to this nation and deserve to be recognized as national heroes,” he said.
The awarding of the National Hero title to Soeharto stands as a symbol of the state’s respect for a leader who dedicated his life to Indonesia’s progress and sovereignty.
Soeharto’s legacy—ranging from food self-sufficiency and agricultural modernization to strengthening education and promoting economic equality—continues to serve as a strong foundation for Indonesia’s journey toward a more self-reliant and competitive future.
Through this act, the Indonesian people affirm that honoring their leaders is not merely about remembering the past, but also about upholding the spirit of unity and sustainable development passed down to future generations.
