Tifa Asrianti, Jakarta – Soeharto has been dropped from the list of potential heroes this year. But the debate on whether or not to honor the former president is likely to be repeated in the years to come.

Suyoto Sudjadi, secretary of a government council assessing the eligibility of those nominated for hero status, said that Soeharto did not make it to this year's final list of hero candidates, which will be presented to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for final consideration.

The team is slated to announce the result on Nov. 9, a day before the nation commemorates National Heroes Day, during which the President will officially declare the country's new heroes.

"We already have the list of [candidates], however, since we have not received a letter of approval from the President, we cannot reveal the names now. But Soeharto is not on this year's list," Suyoto said.

Soeharto was nominated a national hero by a group in Central Java in 2009. He was initially among 10 nominees short-listed by the selection team for honorary status. Among the 10 include former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin.

The decision came as a surprise since the council was dominated by Soeharto's former subordinates, such as Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto, former coordinating minister for public welfare and poverty eradication Hayono Suyono, former bureaucratic reform minister T.B. Silalahi, former religious affairs minister Quraish Shihab and University of Indonesia archaeology professor Eddy Sediawati.

Soeharto, who died two years ago at the age of 86, remains a controversial figure due to his role during the war for independence, as well as his authoritarian rule that lasted 32 years, a period marked by numerous instances of corruption, human rights violations and institutionalized violence.

Human rights activists have repeatedly voiced concerns over Soeharto's human rights abuses. The prospect of giving Indonesia's second president national hero status has sparked controversy in the run up to National Heroes Day since his death in 2008.

The 2009 National Heroes Law stipulates that the title can be bestowed on anyone who has led any kind of armed or political struggle to achieve, defend or contribute to independence and national unity. The law also says a candidate should have completed great work that has benefited many people and upholds the country's dignity.

Harry Azhar Azis, a House of Representatives member from the Golkar party who proposed Soeharto's name, said that his party respected the decision and would still suggest Soeharto's name again next year.

"Although he made mistakes, Soeharto was an important figure in Indonesia. Therefore, we will strive to make Soeharto a national hero. Governments may change and so do their decisions," he said. Julian Aldrin Pasha, the presidential spokesman, declined to comment.