Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Indonesian students and diaspora in Sydney, Australia, have criticized the government's plan to bestow the title of national hero upon former President Soeharto, which is set to be announced by President Prabowo Subianto today.
A representative of Indonesian students and diaspora in Sydney, Slamet Thohari, stated that the bestowal of the title of national hero upon Soeharto is not only inappropriate but also contradicts the humanitarian, justice, and democratic values that form the basis of Indonesia's struggle.
"Glorifying Soeharto as a hero means erasing the suffering of the victims, distorting history, and harming the humanity and democracy of the nation," Slamet said in a written statement on Monday, November 10, 2025.
He argued that the appointment of Soeharto as a national hero has the potential to hurt the nation's conscience and overlook the suffering of millions of victims of repressive policies during the New Order regime.
He elaborated on several reasons why Indonesian students and diaspora in Sydney reject the conferment of the title of national hero upon the former Commander of the Army's Strategic Reserve Command.
Firstly, Soeharto is responsible for human rights violations, such as the 1965-1966 genocide. Secondly, he perpetuated the practices of corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN).
"Thirdly, during his 32 years in power, Soeharto enforced a government that suppressed the people's freedom," Slamet said.
The policies of Soeharto's New Order regime also propagated institutional racism against the Chinese community, such as the violation of the use of the Mandarin language and script, as well as the restriction of Chinese cultural celebrations.
Moreover, the corrupt and monopolistic economic policies during Soeharto's era led to the economic crisis in 1997-1998, causing millions of Indonesians to lose their jobs amidst soaring basic commodity prices.
Considering these factors, Slamet stated that Indonesian students and diaspora in Sydney reject the conferment of the title of national hero upon Soeharto as it constitutes a betrayal of the values of reformation and the Indonesian people's struggle.
"We urge the Indonesian government to listen to the public voice, respect history, and uphold justice for the victims of human rights violations during the New Order era," Slamet said.
Furthermore, President Prabowo Subianto is set to bestow the title of national hero upon former President Soeharto on November 10, coinciding with Heroes' Day.
The Minister of State Secretariat, Prasetyo Hadi, stated that there are 10 names, including his father-in-law, Soeharto, who will be announced by Prabowo in the bestowal of the title of national hero.
"We respect our predecessors, especially leaders, who undoubtedly have made extraordinary contributions to the nation and the state," said the Gerindra Party politician after attending a limited meeting at Prabowo's residence in Kertanegara, Jakarta, on Sunday, November 9, 2025.