Different Opinions On Hero Title For Soeharto, Communication Experts Consider He Deserved It Because So Many Development

Illustration. President Prabowo Subianto (right) shakes hands with Siti Hardjanti Wismoyo (left) after conferring the Bintang Mahaputra Utama Medal of Honor at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (August 25, 2025). (ANTARA PHOTO-Muhammad Adimaja)

JAKARTA - Several academics have expressed their support for Indonesia's second president, Suharto, who is one of the candidates to receive the title of national hero on November 10, Heroes' Day. They consider Suharto a figure who rendered significant contributions to Indonesia.

"If we look at it objectively, Mr. Suharto led us for decades, and we must also consider what he built. So, he deserves the title," said Ni Made Adi Novayanti, a lecturer at the Faculty of Communication and Business at Dwijendra University, during a discussion event entitled "One Year of the Prabowo-Gibran Administration from an Energy Perspective" in Denpasar on Thursday, November 6.

Despite the current public debate surrounding the title, Nova, familiarly known as Nova, believes President Suharto achieved many accomplishments during his 32 years of leadership. "What is clear is that we must not forget his history and contributions," she said.

However, Nova does not want the title to spark an issue that could lead to conflict.

"So, as media personnel, when things like that happen, we respond positively, but we don't frame it as a conflict in the media," he said.

Echoing Nova's sentiments, I Gede Nandya Oktora, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business at Udayana University, believes that a great nation must not forget the contributions of its past leaders, including Soeharto, known as the father of national development. "What is clear is that we must not forget his history and his contributions," said the man, familiarly known as Nandya.

Nevertheless, Nandya left the entire administrative process and eligibility for President Soeharto's hero title to the authorities for a more appropriate decision, while also listening to public input.

"But as for whether or not to approve it, I leave it to the authorities," he said.

Previously, Golkar Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia proposed making Soeharto a national hero during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Bahlil, who is also the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), said Prabowo was considering the proposal.

"We also reported this to the President, as the General Chair of the Golkar Party Central Executive Board. I said, 'Mr. President, with full hope, through the Golkar Party Central Executive Board meeting, we have nominated Pak Harto as a national hero,'" Bahlil said after meeting with President Prabowo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, November 3.

Minister Bahlil stated that Prabowo accepted the aspirations conveyed by his party. He added that Prabowo would also consider the banyan tree party's proposal.

"The President received Golkar's aspirations regarding Golkar's request that Pak Harto, President Soeharto, be made a national hero. President Prabowo said that I accepted and would consider it. Of course, it goes through internal mechanisms, there are mechanisms that must be followed," he said.