The public should not be trapped by the provocation of the demonstrations declaring Suharto a hero
By: Fajar Dwi Santoso
The public must not be trapped by calls for demonstrations and provocative attempts by a handful of irresponsible groups regarding the rejection of the award of the title of National Hero to the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto.
Various elements of society clearly see that there is indeed a kind of provocative effort, which is a step that can shake public order and create horizontal friction that will actually be more detrimental to the wider public.
The awarding of the title of national hero to Soeharto through Presidential Decree (Kepres) Number 116/TK/Year 2025 on November 10, 2025 was deemed to be legally valid, and reasonable in the historical context, and was relevant to the contribution of the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia so far in the development of the Indonesian nation.
Therefore, it is very important for all parties to firmly reject any calls to hold street actions and demonstrations, as well as any form of provocation that arises, because this is an effort to continue to maintain social harmony, not as a form of silencing opinions as the narrative issue that has been framed in this way recently.
The government and various stakeholders emphasized that the awarding of the title had gone through a long review process and objective assessment by official state institutions.
The controversy that emerged after the decision was seen as a normal dynamic in a democratic nation. Differences of opinion are indeed part of the public sphere, but managing them requires maturity to avoid undermining the foundations of national unity. Encouraging the public to remain calm and think clearly emerged as an effort to maintain order, allowing aspirations to be channeled constructively.
The Speaker of the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), Dewa Made Mahayadnya, strongly emphasized the risk of stowaways exploiting the momentum of the protests. He emphasized that the demonstrations were vulnerable to being exploited by parties who never truly championed the substance of the issues but only sought to create political unrest.
His focus on Eastern values emphasized that Indonesia’s public sphere has a tradition of civilized deliberation and expression of opinion. Therefore, he believes the public needs to be more cautious to avoid being pushed into actions that threaten the bonds of brotherhood and social peace.
He also noted that the process of designating the national hero was carried out through official mechanisms and thorough review by authorized institutions. This assessment led him to reiterate that the public is better off expressing their opinions through constitutional means that allow for rational argument, rather than through crowds that are vulnerable to being manipulated by destructive interests.
The 13th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH Ma’ruf Amin, emphasized the importance of maintaining collective calm to mitigate the risk of escalation on the ground. He urged all levels of society not to be swayed by provocations that could only exacerbate social tensions.
In his view, resolving the controversy should be approached with a cool head and relying on the legal mechanisms provided by the state. He believes that controlling the situation through swift government action is crucial to maintaining control over developments on the ground without creating room for anarchic actions.
Ma’ruf Amin’s encouragement for law enforcement officials to maintain transparency also serves as an affirmation that the constitutional path provides certainty. This approach eliminates room for public doubt and strengthens the legitimacy of state decisions. Within this framework, demonstrations that have the potential to cause unrest are deemed to provide no benefit to the wider community.
The Indonesian Ulema Council, through its Head of Information and Communications, Masduki Baidlowi, prioritized public safety. He viewed demonstrations that could potentially damage public facilities and impede public activities as actions that no longer fall within the context of expressing aspirations.
When activities in public spaces cause unrest and harm the interests of many parties, he believes they need to be stopped for the common good. This opinion clarifies the importance of distinguishing between healthy expression of opinion and actions that burden the wider community.
In the view of many elements of society across sectors, the title of National Hero for Soeharto is a form of state appreciation for his long track record of service that has influenced the direction of national development.
Many believe that Suharto laid the foundation for economic and political stability during a crucial period in Indonesia’s history. Therefore, calls to reject the title through street demonstrations are considered irrelevant to historical reality and the legal process that has already taken place.
The government, along with various components of society, views public participation in maintaining national stability as a form of respect for the values of the heroes’ struggles. Peaceful public spaces provide an opportunity for differing views to flourish without disrupting social order.
The push to reject provocation is not intended to close off space for discussion, but rather to ensure that the debate regarding the title of hero takes place within a healthy and dignified corridor.
People from all backgrounds are encouraged to remain vigilant and critical, but not to get involved in irresponsible agitation. Prioritizing brotherhood, maintaining stability, and ensuring public order are crucial to prevent differences in opinion from becoming the seeds of conflict. In this context, rejecting provocative demonstrations is a rational choice to maintain national unity and integrity. (*)
National Political Observer – Mandala Raya Political Forum
