October 27, 2025 | 02:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the Setara Institute National Council, Hendardi, believes that former Indonesian President Soeharto is not deserving of the title of national hero. Allegations of human rights violations and crimes against humanity during his authoritarian and militaristic government cannot be denied.
"Even though it has never been tested through a judicial process," he said in a written statement on Monday, October 27, 2025.
He sees the government and political elites making systematic efforts to turn Soeharto into a hero. After Prabowo was elected as President, one month before his inauguration, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) officially revoked Soeharto's name from the Decree (TAP) MPR Number XI/MPR/1998 concerning the Clean and Free of Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism (KKN) State Leadership.
Article 4 of the MPR 11/1998 Decree states that "Efforts to eradicate corruption, collusion, and nepotism must be carried out firmly against anyone, whether state officials, former state officials, family, and cronies, as well as private individuals/conglomerates, including former President Soeharto, while still considering the principle of presumption of innocence and human rights."
According to Hendardi, this revocation is a wrong step because it overlooks the historical fact that his 32-year leadership was full of human rights violations, corruption, and abuse of power. These facts prompted the 1998 Reform Movement. "Thus, the effort to revoke the Article in MPR Decree Number XI/1998 clearly experiences political amnesia and betrays the mandate of reform," he said.
He also believes that the appointment of Soeharto as a National Hero is an illegal act, especially under Law Number 20 of 2009 concerning Titles, Awards, and Honors.
According to the aforementioned law, a person must meet several requirements to receive a title, award, or honor. Article 24 of the Law stipulates the general requirements, namely being an Indonesian citizen or someone who fought in territories that are now part of the Indonesian Republic, having moral integrity and exemplary behavior, serving the nation and state, demonstrating loyalty and not betraying the nation and state, never being convicted, and serving a minimum of 5 (five) years in prison based on a final court decision. Referring to this law, Hendardi believes that Soeharto is not deserving of the title of national hero.
In addition, Hendardi believes that Soeharto is responsible for acts of corruption. The Supreme Court, through Decision No. 140 PK/Pdt/2005, has stated that Soeharto's Supersemar Foundation has committed unlawful acts and is required to pay a sum of US$315,002,183 and Rp139,438,536,678.56 to the Indonesian Government, which is about Rp4.4 trillion at the time's exchange rate.
"Soeharto was charged for issuing several regulations and presidential decisions that benefited at least seven foundations led by Soeharto and then flowed to 13 family-affiliated companies and cronies of Cendana," he said.
Therefore, Hendardi stated that making Soeharto a national hero is an illegal and unconstitutional act. If the President, as the Head of State, continues to do so, then it is not wrong to assume that President Prabowo is implementing absolutism of power.
Social Affairs Minister Syaifullah Yusuf is aware of the advantages and disadvantages of nominating Soeharto as a national hero. However, he confirms that all proposed names have met the necessary formal requirements.
Fadli Zon, the Minister of Culture and Chair of the Honorary Council, said that the council would soon discuss the proposal of national hero candidates. He stated that the selection of national heroes usually occurs before National Heroes Day on November 10 each year.
"So, certainly before November 10, we will present the results of the Honorary Council meeting to the President," said Fadli Zon.
This Gerindra Party politician affirmed that President Prabowo Subianto has the prerogative right to decide the names designated as national heroes.
Dian Rahma Fika contributed to the writing of this article
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