The Indonesian government has conferred one-time autocratic head Suharto the designation of national icon, via an action that has ignited claims of rewriting history in the planet's third-biggest democratic nation.
The recognition has intensified apprehensions about attempts to downplay Suharto’s ascension and long-standing leadership, a time characterized by rampant corruption, information control and allegations of large-scale rights abuses.
The designation was conferred in a ceremony on Monday morning presided over by President Prabowo, Suharto’s one-time relative by marriage, regardless of demonstrations by rights campaigners and the families of those affected by the autocrat's harsh leadership.
“A notable personality from Central Java, a hero of the struggle for independence, the General was distinguished since the era of independence,” an announcer said as Subianto handed the recognition to Suharto’s son and daughter.
The country gained independence in 1945 from then colonial powers Netherlands and Japan.
The autocrat, who ruled Indonesia for several decades, was ousted amid widespread rallies and lethal violence during an economic crisis in 1998. He passed away in 2006 aged 86.
Subianto, who married and later divorced Suharto’s daughter Siti Hediati, has in the past openly praised his former father-in-law, and personally faced backlash for the rising role of the armed forces in civilian life since he assumed office last year.
The nation's leader, a one-time special ops leader, was dismissed from the military the same year his relative by marriage was overthrown, amid claims he was connected to the disappearances of pro-democracy activists. Prabowo has repeatedly rejected improper actions in relation to the accusations.
Justifying the granting of hero status on Suharto, Indonesia’s minister of culture, Zon, said Suharto was deserving of the recognition because of the defense actions he was participated in, including combating the Holland in 1949. He denied that Suharto was connected to the killings of at least half a million accused leftists in 1965-66.
But rights defenders have described the elevation of Suharto as astonishing.
“How could the man most responsible for one of an enormous historical slaughter, when he seized power, be declared a national hero? It’s utterly absurd,” said Usman of Amnesty International Indonesia.
“It is a blatant whitewashing of bygone wrongdoings. This verdict overlooks the hopes of the public, including victims of human rights violations who continue to demand justice.”
Officials did not immediately provide comment to these allegations.
Discussions of naming Suharto a hero of the nation has also ignited rallies in the capital, where in recent days demonstrators have rallied near the leader's office carrying signs saying “Halt the revisionism of the commander of slaughter” and “Thousands died but the state opted to overlook”.
