<figure id="attachment_3205177" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3205177" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-3205177 size-full" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/93046824-suharto-protest-reuters-10_11_25.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3205177" class="wp-caption-text">Though Suharto’s era ended long ago and he has since passed away, Indonesians remain divided over his controversial legacy. (Reuters pic)</figcaption></figure>
JAKARTA: Indonesia is set to award the title of national hero on Monday to late President Suharto, who was forced out of office in 1998 by violent protests that ended a three-decade rule marred by accusations of mass human rights violations, corruption and nepotism.
The title will be conferred in a ceremony on Monday morning presided over by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto&#8217;s former son-in-law, despite protests by pro-democracy activists and the families of those affected by the strongman&#8217;s iron-fisted rule.
&#8220;There will be approximately 10 names, one of which is Mr. Harto (Suharto),&#8221; the president&#8217;s spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi said in a statement late on Sunday.
Every year, the title of national hero is awarded to Indonesians who have contributed significantly to the Southeast Asian archipelago&#8217;s development. Suharto, who died in 2008, was one of 10 people to get the title on Monday.
On Monday morning, ahead of the ceremony, a Reuters reporter saw Suharto&#8217;s portrait among a display of framed pictures of 10 people who will be awarded the title of national hero at the centre of Jakarta&#8217;s state palace.
Suharto was wearing his military uniform in the portrait. His picture was in the front row, between a picture of former president Abdurrahman Wahid and labour activist Marsinah, who was kidnapped and murdered during Suharto&#8217;s rule.

MatchPoint Times

Indonesia set to grant national hero status to late strongman President Suharto

The award was given to Suharto despite protests from pro-democracy activists and families of those affected by his iron-fisted rule.

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