Polemic Suharto's Proposal To Become A National Hero: The Old Discourse Rejected By The Democratic Party

JAKARTA - The awarding of national hero titles to Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta was greeted with great fanfare. The two figures are considered worthy because they struggle to break the shackles of colonialism. The award of the two then opened a new discussion room.

If Soekarno-Hatta can do it, then Suharto should be a national hero. The Golkar Party and all Suharto sympathizers asked the Father of Development to get the title of national hero. However, that wish was widely rejected -- especially by the Democratic Party.

Soekarno-Hatta's struggle cannot be forgotten in the history of the journey of the Indonesian nation. Dwitunggal is known to have high dedication in bringing the Indonesian people to independence. Both of them once felt the cold walls of prison, had also been exiled to various places because they were considered radicals and fought the invaders.

Both of them have become icons of Indonesia's struggle. Soekarno is known for his booming rhetoric. Hatta is known for his brilliant economic thinking. This narrative makes no more worthy figure to be the first President and Vice President of Indonesia besides Soekarno-Hatta.

The trace of Soekarno-Hatta's greatness made President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) unable to withstand admiration. The services of both are considered great for the nation and state. As a result, SBY immediately gave the title of national hero to Soekarno and Hatta on November 7, 2012.

The determination was stated by the birth of Presidential Decree No. 84/TK/UND 2012. The awarding of the title was carried out so that the younger generation could take both of them. Moreover, in terms of fighting oppression and removing colonialism above the world.

The awarding of the title was greeted with joy. However, the Golkar Party and Suharto sympathizers saw it as an opportunity to open new discussions. At first they suggested Suharto could win the title of hero, shortly after The Smiling General died in 2008.

However, this proposal was rejected by many people. The opportunity to re-propose Suharto as a national hero became open because Soekarno and Hatta were successfully appointed national heroes. They consider Suharto's services to be no less great. His services were present in the 1945-1949 Revolutionary War.

Suharto was then considered a PKI crackdown. Mr. Swasembada Pangan too. Suharto was also seen as Indonesia's savior from the economic crisis of the Old Order era. A series of traces made Suharto worthy of being proposed as a national hero.

"Bung Karno and Pak Harto are both very instrumental people for this nation and country. If Bung Karno has done it, but why not Pak Harto (given the title of national hero). If not, we will call on supporters not to exercise voting rights in the election later. This is our attitude in the organization and has absolutely nothing to do with the attitude of the Cendana family," said Chairman of the Indonesian Sorharto Family Foundation (KBS), Kiswadi Agus, as quoted on the website.com, November 7, 2012.

Suharto's desire to carry out Suharto as a national hero was opposed by many parties. They did not deny that Suharto had the services of building the Indonesian nation. However, the controversy is piled up. Not to mention the repressive issue of the Suharto government during the New Order era.

The past sins are getting bigger because Suharto is believed to have been involved in Bung Karno's coup. He is also considered the culprit of various kinds of human rights violations and corruption. A series of narratives made the Democratic Party refuse to support Suharto's investigation into a national hero.

Deputy Secretary General of the Democratic Party, Ramadhan Pohan spoke up on November 8, 2012. He considered Suharto not worthy of being appointed as a national hero. Ramadhan believes that the injury caused by Suharto's 32 years of power is too painful for the Indonesian people.

Giving the title of heroism will actually tarnish Indonesia's face in the eyes of the world. Indonesia is considered to have experienced setbacks. He doesn't mind if Suharto is given another award. As long as Suharto doesn't be a national hero.

The narrative will injure the struggle of national figures who are fighting against Suharto's dominance and create an era of reform. However, the government itself doesn't really care. They opened the door to many people to propose important figures to be heroes.

The government will decide whether or not to choose. In fact, in determining the appointment of national heroes in 2013, the government said they had never rejected Suharto's proposal to become heroes. The owner of power prefers the language of the proposed figures, it is not time to be appointed as national heroes.

"It is inappropriate. The injury and damage to this country is too severe from 32 years of power. The Indonesian nation should never touch the fascist and authoritarian era again. If it is given, it will be controversial. If given, Indonesia will resign and be ambiguous. .

"On the one hand, rejecting authoritarianism, on the other hand, how come it is heroized, the morale of this nation must be clear. I think Pak Harto and his family are already mahfum and do not feel the need to be given the title of national hero," said Ramadhan as quoted on the website.com, November 8, 2012.