JAKARTA - The Coordinator of the DEMA Center of PTKIN Miftahul Rizqy, emphasized that the legacy of development initiated by the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, still provides tangible benefits for the people of Indonesia to date.
According to Rizqy, various strategic projects carried out during Suharto's leadership ranging from infrastructure development, food self-sufficiency programs, to equitable education have become an important foundation for the current progress of the nation.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to historical facts. Roads, dams, schools, and various welfare programs that were initiated during Pak Harto's time are currently the backbone of our development," Rizqy said in a written statement, Saturday, November 8.
Rizqy also assessed that, in the midst of the current economic and social challenges faced by our nation, the spirit of national development and stability inherited by Suharto should be an inspiration for the next generation of leaders.
Pak Harto is a figure who places development as a top priority. We can have different views on politics, but his contribution to Indonesia's progress is a legacy that cannot be erased," he added.
Rizqy suggested that all former Indonesian Presidents obtain the title of National Hero, considering that the position of head of state itself has shown the criteria for heroism in terms of law and service to the nation.
The first president of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, has been designated as a National Hero. So, President Suharto should also receive a similar award for his services in the field of development, as well as service to the nation," he said.
Rizqy added that the public must not forget Suharto's big role in maintaining the integrity and ideology of the state.
"We need to remember and appreciate the great services of the second President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto. Thanks to his leadership, Indonesia survived the threat of communism ideology and was able to maintain Pancasila as the basis of the state," said Riqzy.
In the context of historical views, Rizqy quoted the wise message of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH. Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), who once said, "Soekarno is not that good, and Suharto is not that bad."
According to Rizqy, Gus Dur's view illustrates the need to look at history more objectively and proportionally not only from a political perspective, but also from a real contribution to the nation.
Gus Dur's statement teaches us to judge national figures fairly. There is no perfect leader, but every leader has a great role and services that should be appreciated," he explained.
Riqzy also appealed to historians to be more open in conveying historical facts, especially regarding the incident of the betrayal of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) against the Republic of Indonesia. According to him, Suharto's struggle in crushing communism is a tangible form of defense of the nation's ideology
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