Indonesia marked National Heroes’ Day on November 10 with quiet pride and renewed debate. At the State Palace, President Prabowo Subianto conferred the country’s highest honor on ten historical figures, among them Indonesia’s second president, Suharto.
The ceremony, followed by a midnight reflection at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, gathered cabinet members, military leaders, and families of the honorees. This year’s theme — “My Heroes, My Role Models. I Will Carry On Your Struggle” — recalled the 1945 Battle of Surabaya, when Indonesians fought to defend their new independence. Prabowo urged citizens to remember those sacrifices and “never forget their service and heroic acts.”
Suharto’s inclusion sparks debate
The spotlight quickly turned to Suharto, whose daughter, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, accepted the award on his behalf. The government cited his wartime leadership and political contributions, crediting him with helping stabilize the country after independence.
But his long rule still divides opinion. Suharto rose to power in 1967 after the fall of Sukarno, ruling for three decades under the New Order. His government oversaw rapid economic growth and political order — but also silenced dissent and concentrated power in the hands of the military.
Historians continue to debate his role in the 1965–66 anti-communist violence, when hundreds of thousands were killed. Though his direct responsibility remains unproven, the scale of the tragedy has made his legacy one of the most contested in Southeast Asia.
A broader message of unity
This year’s list of national heroes also honored Abdurrahman Wahid, Marsinah, Rahmah El Yunusiyyah, and several others from across the archipelago. Culture Minister Fadli Zon explained that nominations start at local levels and are reviewed by historians before reaching the president’s council.
For President Prabowo — once a general under Suharto and formerly married to his daughter — the decision carries personal and political meaning. Yet the ceremony itself emphasized unity more than controversy. “These figures remind us that Indonesia’s strength lies in its diversity,” said the president.
