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Snapshot 6:Mon, Nov 10, 2025 3:39:12 PM GMT last edited by Harish Chander

Indonesia Names Former Dictator Suharto National Hero

Indonesia Names Former Dictator Suharto National Hero

Indonesia Names Former Dictator Suharto National Hero
Above: **Watermarked Getty Image. Kindly Replace** A protester holds a poster near the presidential palace in Jakarta on Nov. 6, 2025, opposing the Indonesian government's plan to declare former president Suharto a "National Hero." Image copyright: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Suharto's national hero designation represents Indonesia's political maturity and commitment to objective historical assessment. The former president's contributions to economic development, agricultural advancement, and infrastructure growth laid the foundation for modern Indonesia, while his role in the independence struggle helped secure national sovereignty. This recognition demonstrates a mature nation's ability to honor past leaders' achievements and foster national unity through reconciliation.

Granting Suharto hero status betrays the 1998 Reformasi movement and undermines Indonesia's commitment to justice and human rights. The former dictator's legacy remains tainted by systematic corruption, nepotism and gross human rights violations that judicial review has confirmed. True heroism demands unimpeachable integrity, not rewarding authoritarian rulers whose crimes against the Indonesian people remain unresolved.

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 5% chance that Indonesia will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.



© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.0

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.17.0