Minister Of Religion Fights For Suharto To Win National Hero Title In Today's Memory, March 1, 2009

President Suharto when receiving the US Defense Minister, William Cohen at his private home, Jl. Cendana number 8, Menteng, Central Jakarta on January 14, 1998. (US Department of Defense / RD Ward)

JAKARTA Memories of today, 16 years ago, March 1, 2009, Minister of Religion (Menag), Muhammad Maftuh Basyuni revealed that Suharto will fight for the title of national hero. The former President of Indonesia is considered to have a big contribution to the nation and state.

Previously, Suharto was known to have participated in the revolutionary war against the Dutch. He is also known as an important person in the crackdown on sympathizers of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). This role made Suharto's name appear and become President of Indonesia.

Suharto is not new to the history of the journey of the Indonesian nation. He already existed from the revolutionary war. A war that occurred because the Dutch wanted to rule Indonesia a second time. Suharto took part as a freedom fighter who chose to take up arms.

His existence in the Revolutionary War also appeared in the General Offensive March 1, 1949. Suharto's spirit of serving the nation and state did not stop when the Dutch truly recognized Indonesia's sovereignty.

He continues to be active serving as a TNI soldier. His most vital role occurred when there was an uprising of the September 30th Movement in 1965. A series of Army Generals were kidnapped and killed by rebels.

This condition left the Army power vacant. However, Suharto, then Commander of the Army Strategic Command or Pangkostrad, took over the leadership. He measuredly tried to repulse the rebels and succeeded.

This condition made Suharto consider the PKI as the mastermind. He began to chase after everyone connected to the PKI. Then, the PKI itself was immediately disbanded. This condition made Suharto appear like a big character.

All students began to support him to become Indonesia's number one person. That wish was conveyed. Suharto became the second President of Indonesia. His achievements are piled up. Mainly in the field of economic development.

The problem is Suharto's leadership is repressive. He also used the military as a guardian of power and the interests of his group. Suharto and the New Order (Orba) finally stepped down due to the 1998 political turmoil.

Suharto has another nickname, namely the Rescue of Pancasila, Strengthening the Constitution, Having the Sixth Indra, Uniting with the Aspirations of the Nation, the National Peak Statesman, and even the Leader of the Plenary Leaders. "The assistants said, even though the general did not receive higher education, in fact they could take this country in a better and more advanced direction," said Femi Adi Soempeno in the book They Betrayed Me (2008).

Suharto has been gone since 2008. However, the echoes of power are still remembered. The memories are divided into two. First, positive memories related to the traces of Suharto's greatness as a soldier of the TNI and the President. Second, negative memories that occurred throughout his repressive power.

The Minister of Religion, Muhammad Maftuh Basyuni, did not doubt Suharto's services. He also promised to fight for Suharto to get the title of national hero on March 1, 2009, or precisely on the date Suharto was believed to have led the General Attack on March 1, 1949.

Basyuni considers the struggle to make Suharto a hero quite important. Suharto has no doubt about his contribution to the nation and state. Suharto has no lack of being a soldier. His actions as a straight soldier defend the nation and state.

Suharto also during his time as president cared a lot for the interests of Muslims. Even though that view, many disagree. However, Basyuni continued to fight for Suharto to be in the ranks of national heroes.

"For that I will be with Pak Haryono Suyono who is also included in the team (the team for awarding the honorary title) will fight for it. For this reason, the Indonesian nation has also experienced an unforgettable historical journey.

In a slumped state of government, Lt. Col. Suharto designed and launched a general attack on a number of Dutch army headquarters and defense posts within the city of Yogya, March 1, 1949. Dhantam in an impromptu attack, Dutch troops led by Colonel Van Langen, chaotic. They can only survive, asking for reinforcements to Magelang and Semarang, "said Basyuni as quoted by the Ministry of Religion's website, March 1, 2009.