Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Monday named ten Indonesians as new National Heroes during a Heroes Day ceremony at the State Palace, marking a rare mix of reformists, activists, religious scholars, and military figures. Among them are former presidents Soeharto and Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), as well as labor activist Marsinah.

The decision has reignited discussions about how Indonesia defines heroism whether through service, sacrifice, or state-building especially given the contrasting legacies of some honorees.

Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur)

Indonesia's fourth president (1999-2001), Abdurrahman Wahid, widely known as Gus Dur, was a towering figure in both religious and political life. Born in Jombang, he led Nahdlatul Ulama, Southeast Asia's largest Islamic organization, before founding the National Awakening Party (PKB) in 1998.

As president, he opened space for free speech and promoted pluralism, championing religious minorities and reconciliation after decades of authoritarianism. He lifted restrictions on Chinese culture, recognized Confucianism, and sought to heal divisions stemming from Indonesia's violent political past.

Yet his presidency faced challenges. Fractious coalition politics, accusations of erratic governance, and a deteriorating relationship with parliament that led to his impeachment in 2001.

Despite the political downfall, Gus Dur's moral leadership and defense of tolerance left an enduring mark. His recognition cements his role as both a reformist and a spiritual compass during Indonesia's democratic transition.

Soeharto

Soeharto led Indonesia from 1967 to 1998, making him the country's longest-serving president.

Born in Kemusuk, Yogyakarta, he rose from the Japanese-trained PETA forces to become a central figure in the army's response to the 1965 coup attempt blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

His subsequent rise to power ushered in the New Order, a period of economic modernization and relative stability after the turbulence of the Sukarno era.

Under his rule, Indonesia achieved sustained growth, major infrastructure expansion, and self-sufficiency in rice production. The poverty rate fell sharply, and foreign investment flourished.

However, these successes came with a heavy cost: strict political control, the suppression of dissent, widespread corruption, and systemic human-rights violations, including the 1965-66 anti-communist purges and the occupation of East Timor.

Soeharto's resignation in 1998, amid the Asian financial crisis and mass protests, marked the end of his 32-year rule and the beginning of the Reformasi era.

His recognition as a National Hero has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters cite his role in nation-building and stability, while critics argue the title risks whitewashing historical injustices.

Marsinah

A factory worker at Catur Putra Surya in Sidoarjo, Marsinah became a symbol of Indonesia's labor struggle in the 1990s.

Born in 1969, she was active in organizing protests demanding fair wages following a government-mandated pay rise that many employers ignored. After leading a strike in May 1993, she was found dead in a hut near Nganjuk, showing signs of torture.

Her murder, widely suspected to involve military or company security forces, remains unsolved.

For many Indonesians, Marsinah embodies courage under repression, an ordinary woman who dared to challenge powerful interests.

Her recognition as a National Hero is seen as a long-overdue acknowledgment of labor rights and gender justice in Indonesia's modern history. While some activists welcome the move, others warn that true honor demands accountability for her death.

Mochtar Kusumaatmadja

A respected diplomat and scholar, Mochtar served as Foreign Minister (1978-1988) and earlier as Justice Minister.

He crafted the concept of Wawasan Nusantara, or the archipelagic outlook, later adopted into the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), strengthening Indonesia's maritime sovereignty.

Though not a public populist, his intellectual influence on Indonesia's diplomacy and maritime law endures.

Hajjah Rahma El Yunusiyyah

An educator and early advocate for women's empowerment, Rahma founded the Diniyah Putri School in Padang Panjang in 1923, the first modern Islamic boarding school for girls in Indonesia.

Her work inspired educational reform across the archipelago and helped normalize women's participation in public and religious life. She often encouraged women to take active roles in public spaces, join organizations, and participate in Islamic communities during the national movement era. Her consistent message was that women must possess knowledge, moral integrity, and leadership skills.

Her hero title recognizes a lifelong commitment to advancing equality through education.

Gen. Sarwo Edhie Wibowo

A military commander known for leading Indonesia's special forces (RPKAD, now Kopassus) after the 1965 coup attempt.

He helped consolidate Soeharto's power and later served as ambassador and parliamentarian.

While praised for discipline and leadership, Sarwo Edhie's involvement in the 1965-66 anti-communist purges continues to shadow his record.

His recognition reflects the complex legacy of Indonesia's post-1965 period and the difficult choices made during a time of national instability.

Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin

The Sultan of Bima, who ruled during the late colonial and early independence periods, opposed Dutch dominance and supported education reforms in his sultanate.

He promoted Islamic education and modernization in Bima, earning respect as a regional statesman who bridged local traditions and national ideals.

Syaikhona Muhammad Kholil

Known as Syekh Kholil. He was a revered cleric from Bangkalan, Madura, and mentor to many of Indonesia's top ulama, including KH Hasyim Asy'ari, founder of Nahdlatul Ulama.

His teachings laid the foundation for modern pesantren education and moral leadership in rural Indonesia. His hero title recognizes spiritual guidance as an integral part of national identity.

Tuan Rondahaim Saragih

A 19th-century Raja of Raya, Rondahaim led resistance against Dutch expansion in Simalungun.

Local oral histories regard him as an undefeated leader who refused colonial cooperation.

His inclusion underscores the valor of regional resistance figures often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Zainal Abidin Syah

The last Sultan of Tidore and first Governor of Irian Barat (Papua), he played a central role in Indonesia's integration of Papua during the 1950s.

Zainal balanced diplomacy and cultural leadership during a period of national consolidation, ensuring that eastern regions had a voice in the young republic.

The Many Faces of Indonesian Heroism

This year's honorees mirror Indonesia's diverse pathways to nationhood, from palace and pulpit to picket line and battlefield. Their stories reveal both achievement and contradiction, a reminder that heroism in Indonesia is not measured by perfection but by enduring impact.

While some selections, particularly Soeharto and Sarwo Edhie, stir moral debate, others like Marsinah and Rahma El Yunusiyyah broaden the meaning of courage to include justice, education, and equality.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/ten-new-faces-in-indonesias-hall-of-heroes-from-soeharto-to-sarwo-edhi