• Former President Suharto was named a national hero despite his controversial history.
• The honor was conferred by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto's former son-in-law.
• The move has ignited public protests, with activists condemning it as historical revisionism.
• Several other figures were also awarded the title, including human rights advocates opposed to Suharto.
• Critics argue the recognition undermines democratic values and normalizes impunity.

On November 10, Indonesia awarded the title of national hero to former President Suharto, whose three-decade rule was marked by accusations of mass human rights violations and corruption. This decision was made during a ceremony led by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, despite widespread opposition from human rights activists and the families of victims of his regime, who labelled the honor as an attempt to whitewash history and a betrayal of democracy, according to The Jakarta Post.

During the ceremony, Prabowo highlighted Suharto's contributions and defended the award by stating that it honored individuals "who undoubtedly have made extraordinary contributions to the nation." However, critics, including the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), argue that awarding Suharto the title normalizes impunity for his past actions which resulted in substantial loss of life and abuses of power, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Suharto, who died in 2008, is remembered for both significant economic growth under his rule and a regime marked by the brutal repression of dissent. Activists have voiced fears that this recognition could signal a resurgence of authoritarian governance under Prabowo’s administration, especially given Prabowo's own controversial military background and past accusations of human rights abuses, as discussed by BBC and Al Jazeera.

In the lead-up to the National Hero Day ceremony, protests erupted across Jakarta, highlighting concerns about historical revisionism and the potential undermining of democratic values in Indonesia. Many protesters, including former activists who stood against Suharto's regime, argue that the government is perpetuating a dangerous narrative by honoring a leader whose actions led to significant suffering, according to Al Jazeera and The Jakarta Post.

Among the ten individuals awarded the title on the same day, notable figures include Abdurrahman Wahid, a former president who championed pluralism, and Marsinah, a labor activist murdered during Suharto's rule, whose recognition serves as a pointed reminder of the complex history surrounding Suharto's legacy, as noted in multiple sources including Channel News Asia and BBC.