Indonesia awarded 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.
Advertisement
The title was conferred in a ceremony presided over by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, despite protests by pro-democracy activists and the families of those affected by the strongman’s iron-fisted rule. Prabowo took office one year ago.
“A prominent figure from Central Java province, a hero of the struggle for independence, General Suharto stood out since the independence era,” an announcer said as Prabowo handed the award to Suharto’s daughter and son.
Indonesia gained independence in 1945 from then colonial powers the Netherlands and Japan.
Every year, the title of national hero is awarded to Indonesians who have contributed significantly to the Southeast Asian archipelago’s development. Suharto, who died in 2008, was one of 10 people to get the title on Monday.
Suharto, a military officer, formally became president in 1967 after he seized control of Indonesia from the country’s first president and independence leader, Sukarno.