Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Despite mounting criticism and public opposition, President Prabowo Subianto has officially conferred the title of National Hero on former president Soeharto, whose 32-year rule remains one of the most controversial periods in Indonesia's modern history.
Prabowo, who was previously married to Soeharto's daughter Siti Hediati "Titiek" Soeharto, made the announcement during a ceremony at the State Palace on Monday, November 10, coinciding with Heroes Day. Nine other figures were also honored with the same title.
Military Secretary Wahyu Yudhayana said the decision, based on Presidential Decree No. 116/TK/2025, was "a tribute and expression of gratitude for their extraordinary service in preserving the unity and integrity of the nation."
Civil society condemns Soeharto's nomination
The decision immediately drew condemnation from human rights and civil society groups. The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) argued that Soeharto's record made him unfit for national recognition.
KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya said Soeharto was responsible for multiple instances of grave human rights violations during the authoritarian New Order era.
"There were at least nine major cases of severe rights violations under Soeharto's rule, including the 1965-1966 massacres," he said on Monday.
1965-1966 Mass Killings
As Commander of the Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order (Kopkamtib), Soeharto oversaw mass arrests and executions following an alleged coup attempt.
Thousands were killed, imprisoned without trial, or exiled to Buru Island. These events remain one of Indonesia's darkest chapters, with millions affected.
1981-1985 'Mysterious Shootings'
Dimas said Soeharto also authorized the so-called "Petrus" or "mysterious shootings," in which thousands of alleged criminals were summarily executed.
Amnesty International recorded around 5,000 deaths during the campaign, concentrated in East Java, Central Java, and West Java.
1984 Tanjung Priok massacre
The Tanjung Priok incident, where dozens of civilians were killed during protests against government repression, was also linked to Soeharto's policies.
KontraS said the event reflected the regime's intolerance toward dissent and its use of violence to silence opposition.
1989 Talangsari incident
Repressive measures continued in the Talangsari tragedy in Lampung, where at least 130 people were killed, 77 expelled, and hundreds detained or tortured.
According to an ad hoc human rights investigation, the attack stemmed from the regime's crackdown on Islamic activists and perceived opposition groups.
Military operations in Aceh
From 1989 to 1998, Soeharto's government declared Aceh a Military Operations Area (DOM), leading to widespread atrocities.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Aceh documented 1,792 incidents of arbitrary arrest, torture, murder, sexual violence, and property destruction.
"This operation caused deep and lasting suffering for the people of Aceh, especially women and children," Dimas said.
Other cases of repression
These include the forced disappearances of pro-democracy activists in 1997-1998 and the Trisakti and Semanggi I-II shootings in 1998, which claimed the lives of several students demanding reform.
The organization also cited the May 1998 riots, the killings of people accused of practicing black magic, and the 1993 murder of labor activist Marsinah. Another case was the 1996 killing of journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin, known as Udin, who was reportedly targeted for his critical reporting.
KontraS added that the New Order government under Soeharto systematically suppressed student and media movements, silencing dissent and curbing freedom of expression throughout his 32-year rule.
Legal experts cite violations of law
Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Muhammad Isnur said the decision to honor Soeharto violated several laws and court rulings.
He cited Presidential Decree No. 17 of 2022, which acknowledged past gross human rights violations under Soeharto's rule, including the 1965-1966 killings and other violent episodes.
Isnur added that People's Consultative Assembly decrees TAP MPR X/1998 and TAP MPR XI/1998 explicitly condemned Soeharto's regime for corruption, collusion, and nepotism.
The Supreme Court's 2015 decision also found the Soeharto Supersemar Foundation guilty of unlawful acts, ordering it to pay the government US$315 million (around Rp4.4 trillion at the time).
– Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2064411/human-rights-violation-records-shadow-soehartos-national-hero-titl