Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation Condemns Soeharto’s Planned National Hero Designation
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has sharply criticized the impending bestowal of national hero status upon former President Soeharto, arguing the decision represents a profound betrayal of victims of human rights abuses, democratic principles, and the spirit of reform. The announcement, slated to coincide with Heroes Day, has ignited controversy and drawn condemnation from rights groups.
The chair of YLBHI, Muhammad Isnur, stated that the honor should be reserved for individuals who demonstrably championed independence, justice, humanity, and popular sovereignty – qualities he asserts are fundamentally at odds with Soeharto’s authoritarian legacy. “The bestowal of the national hero title to Soeharto is legally and human rights-wise contradictory,” Isnur declared in a written statement released on Monday, November 10, 2025.
YLBHI contends the decision violates at least four existing laws and Supreme Court rulings. The foundation points to Presidential Decree Number 17 of 2022, which formally acknowledged the occurrence of severe human rights violations, including acts of genocide, during Soeharto’s 32-year rule. Specifically, Isnur cited Soeharto’s responsibility for the tumultuous events of 1965-1966, a period marked by widespread violence and political repression.
The list of alleged abuses extends to the mysterious shootings of 1982-1985, the violent suppression of protests in Talangsari, Lampung in 1989, and further incidents in Aceh – including the Rumoh Geudong and Pos Sattis massacres in 1989. YLBHI also highlighted the forced disappearances of individuals between 1997 and 1998, the devastating May 1998 riots in Jakarta, and the tragic Trisakti and Semanggi student shootings in 1998.
Further bolstering their argument, YLBHI referenced decrees issued by the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). Decree X/1998 accused Soeharto and his “New Order” regime of systemic abuses of power, legal harassment, and a failure to protect the rights and legal certainty of citizens. MPR Decree XI/1998 went further, alleging widespread corruption, collusion, and nepotism within Soeharto’s government.
The foundation also drew attention to a 2015 Supreme Court decision (Number 140 PK/Pdt/2015) which found the Supersemar Soeharto Foundation engaged in unlawful activities and ordered it to repay approximately US$315,002,183 (roughly Rp4.4 trillion at the time) to the government.
Isnur characterized the planned honor as evidence of a troubling trend under the current administration of Prabowo Subianto, suggesting a betrayal of constitutional principles and a disregard for the suffering of the Indonesian people. “YLBHI strongly condemns the bestowal of the national hero title to Soeharto,” he affirmed.
Despite the outcry, the government defended the decision. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi stated on Sunday, November 9, 2025, that the bestowal of national hero status is intended to honor individuals who have made “extraordinary contributions to the nation and state.” Hadi, a member of the Gerindra Party, made the comments following a meeting at Prabowo’s residence in Kertanegara, Jakarta.
Social media sentiment, however, appears to be overwhelmingly negative regarding the plan to honor Soeharto, indicating a significant disconnect between the government’s perspective and public opinion.
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