Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – A petition opposing the awarding of the national hero title to Soeharto, launched by the Civil Society Movement to Try Soeharto (Gemas) on April 8, has garnered 3,479 signatures as of noon on Wednesday, April 16.
Zaenal Muttaqien, secretary-general of the Indonesian Association of Families of the Disappeared (IKOHI), said the petition was initiated because the former president should not be granted such an honor.
"Proposals to grant Soeharto the national hero title have emerged repeatedly over the years. That is why we, along with NGOs, human rights advocates, legal aid institutions, and others, consistently launch petitions to oppose it," Zaenal told Tempo on Tuesday, April 15.
As of 11:00 a.m. on April 16, the petition titled "Reject the National Hero Title for Soeharto!" had received 3,479 signatures on Change.org.
The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) urged Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf and the Council for the Titles of Heroes, Decorations, and Honors not to include Soeharto among the candidates to be recognized in 2025.
"We see this proposal as an attempt to erase historical memory and whitewash the crimes committed by Soeharto," Jane Rosalina, head of Kontras's Impunity Monitoring Division, said on April 15.
Jane noted that momentum behind the proposal has grown since the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) removed Soeharto's name from Article 4 of Decree No. 9 of 1998 on Clean Governance Free from Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism in September 2024. That article had specifically named him.
She added that the MPR's decision is problematic, as the institution no longer has the authority to issue legal rulings following constitutional amendments enacted during the Reform era. According to Jane, during his 32-year rule, Soeharto committed acts of violence against civilians, environmental destruction, human rights abuses, violence against women, and abuses of power – none of which have been prosecuted, nor have victims received justice to this day.
The petition also references findings from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), which implicate Soeharto in nine cases of gross human rights violations during his tenure. These include: the 1965-1966 anti-communist purge; the Mysterious Shootings (1982-1985); the Tanjung Priok massacre (1984); the Talangsari incident (1989); the Rumoh Geudong and Sattis Post abuses (1989-1998); the forced disappearances of 1997-1998; the Trisakti (1998), Semanggi I (1998), and Semanggi II (1999) shootings; the May 1998 riots; and the killings of alleged sorcerers (1998-1999).
The national hero title is awarded to Indonesian citizens or individuals who fought against colonialism in what is now Indonesia. Recipients must have either died in service to the nation or, during their lifetime, performed acts of heroism or contributed extraordinary achievements to the development and progress of the country.
To qualify for the title, as well as for other honors and decorations, nominees must meet both general and specific criteria, including moral integrity, exemplary conduct, service to the nation, good character, loyalty, and no record of betrayal against the state.
The Directorate General of Social Empowerment at the Ministry of Social Affairs, along with the Central Research and Review Team on Titles (TP2GP), is currently evaluating ten candidates for the 2025 national hero award, including two former presidents: Soeharto and Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur).