Story perspectives

Indonesia's Soeharto Named Hero Amid Protests and Backlash

11/10/2025

Summary

Story summary

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto posthumously awarded former President Soeharto national hero on November 10, 2025.
Activists and civil groups protested, arguing the award whitewashes Soeharto's legacy of mass rights violations, corruption, and a regime from 1965 to 1998.
Protesters chanted slogans such as "Stop the Whitewashing of the General of Butchery."
Prabowo Subianto, Soeharto's former son-in-law, defended the award, saying it honors significant contributions despite backlash.

History

Historical Context

President Suharto resigned in 1998 after 31 years of authoritarian rule, during which Human Rights Watch reported over 500,000 deaths from anti-communist purges. His controversial legacy has resurfaced following a posthumous award from President Prabowo Subianto, igniting debates about Indonesia's struggle to confront its past and the ongoing impact of Suharto's regime on contemporary governance and societal values.

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Story summary

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto posthumously awarded former President Soeharto national hero on November 10, 2025.
Activists and civil groups protested, arguing the award whitewashes Soeharto's legacy of mass rights violations, corruption, and a regime from 1965 to 1998.
Protesters chanted slogans such as "Stop the Whitewashing of the General of Butchery."
Prabowo Subianto, Soeharto's former son-in-law, defended the award, saying it honors significant contributions despite backlash.

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