Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Camelia Pasandaran & Candra Malik, Jakarta – It's official: former President Suharto is not a national hero. This year at least.

Suharto, who ruled the country with an iron fist for 32 years, allegedly stole billions of dollars and left a legacy of endemic corruption, was passed over for the honor when the Council on Titles, Decorations and Honors named the recipients on Thursday.

Two people were honored this year: independence fighter Johanes Abraham Dimara and Johannes Leimena, a former prime minister under founding father Sukarno. Both are deceased.

The Golkar Party, Suharto's political vehicle throughout his rule, said it understood the government's decision not name Suharto a national hero.

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso, from Golkar, said Djoko Suyanto, the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, had told him that the government had not rejected outright the idea of bestowing the honor on Suharto.

"The minister told me it wasn't the right time," Priyo said. "If that's the reason, then we can understand. We should prevent any debate over it."

Priyo said Golkar would continue to insist that Suharto be named a hero, despite any criticism, and said the government must have the courage to grant the award.

"I don't know when the right time is, maybe next year, or in the next two years, or when we have a new president," he said. "Vengefulness over the past should never be an excuse. We admit he made some mistakes, but we must also remember his good deeds."

Suharto's suitability for the honor sparked nationwide debate last month when it emerged that his name had made it onto a Social Affairs Ministry shortlist of candidates to be added to Indonesia's official pantheon of 138 heroes.

The move, initially proposed by Rina Iriani, the head of Karanganyar district, which houses Suharto's mausoleum, angered political reformers and Indonesians who saw his rule as a time of unchecked corruption and brutal repression.

For many others, however, including the thousands who attended special prayer services to mark the 1,000th day since the former president's death, the move evoked nostalgia for a time of order and stability that contrasts with today's messy democracy.

Rina said she was disappointed Suharto had been passed over. "I nominated him personally and on behalf of the people's aspirations," she said. "I wonder who the committee was listening to when they chose to reject it. We pray for Suharto and still believe his recognition as a national hero is just a matter of time."