Suharto's Memory Was Carried Into A National Hero

Suharto, who served as President of Indonesia from 1968-1998. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Citra Suharto as the leader of Indonesia is full of dynamics. He once brought the Indonesian economy to grow. Development is being inflamed everywhere. However, the controversy is no less numerous. He is known to be repressive. The regime is corrupt, not playing.

The public was divided into two camps. The camp that supports and the camp that condemns it. The debate got warmer when Suharto, who has not been pushed to win the title of national hero, was repeatedly proposed, mentally.

No one doubts Suharto's existence in the era of the Revolutionary War. He helped take up arms against the Dutch colonialists who wanted to colonize Indonesia again. Suharto's name became increasingly popular when he was considered to have taken part in the March 1, 1949 General Offensive.

Suharto also continues to serve the nation and state. At its peak, Suharto's name was popular again when he took over the power vacuum in the Army to crush the September 30th Movement (G30S) 1965. He was able to extinguish the fire of the rebellion.

Suharto even continued his action by crushing the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) which was believed to be the mastermind of the G30S. This image became Suharto's important capital when he rose to become President of Indonesia and built the New Order (Orba) regime. He was able to overcome the economic crisis left by the Soekarno regime.

He made Indonesia's economy increase. Development takes place everywhere. Indonesia is a food shortage. All these achievements became more massive after Suharto passed away on January 27, 2008. Suharto's desire to make Suharto a national hero emerged among his supporters -- Golkar's main supporters.

They realized that Suharto had just passed away. It was this momentum that was deemed appropriate to arrange an agenda so that Suharto could be pushed to become a national hero. They think Suharto already has all the requirements to become a national hero.

"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.

No one doubts Suharto's role in the history of the nation's journey. Suharto did play a leader who had formed the direction of the Indonesian nation for 32 years. However, Suharto's leadership was not smooth.

Traces of his leadership ulcers are everywhere. Suharto is known as a repressive leader. Many human rights violations occurred in the era of his government. Moreover, The Smiling General never wanted anything to interfere with the government. Those who disturb will be brushed off.

Not to mention the business of the corrupt Suharto regime. Share positions. Bribes are here and there. All the ulcers blocked Suharto's path to be appointed as a national hero. Gelora refused to Suharto's title echoing everywhere.

Various reasons have been put forward. Some consider Suharto not to have met the provisions regarding moral integration and exemplary. Political elites from various parties such as the Democratic Party to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) have rejected Suharto's desire to become a hero.

They agreed that Suharto did not deserve to be a national hero. There are also those who think that Suharto had just passed away. Usually, heroes who are considered to have died for years.

This narrative made Suharto continue to fail to be declared a national hero. Time and again, he was rejected many times. Asa made Suharto, who is controversial as a national hero, never disappear. That hope resurfaced when Prabowo Subianto became President of Indonesia from 2024.

"The title of Hero for Suharto is still premature because political clarification for his role in various political events and systematic violence has never been carried out. As a result, objective facts will never be obtained on the heroism of Suharto."

"Because of this position, there will always be controversy over any attempt to glorify Suharto, one of which is by making him a national hero. Including in the 'coup' incident against Soekarno, various human rights violations and corruption. This political clarification was chosen because it was no longer possible to carry out the legal process against Suharto because he lost his subject," said Setara Institute Chairman Hendardi as quoted by the ANTARA website, November 10, 2015.