Why are activists protesting the proposed national hero status for Suharto?

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Activists Protest Proposed National Hero Status for Suharto Due to Human Rights and Corruption Allegations

Activists are protesting the proposed national hero status for the late authoritarian leader Suharto, citing his alleged human rights violations and corruption as reasons for his unsuitability for the title. Protesters argue that Suharto's legacy includes the deaths of at least 500,000 people following his rise to power in late 1965. The demonstrations highlight broader concerns within Indonesia regarding the potential revisionism of historical narratives.
Allegations of Human Rights Abuses and Corruption

The core of the protest centres on the belief that Suharto's 32-year rule, known as the "New Order," was marked by significant human rights abuses and corruption. Activists contend that these actions disqualify him from being recognised as a national hero. They point to the period after the abortive communist coup in late 1965, when Suharto took power, as a time associated with widespread violence and loss of life, with estimates of at least 500,000 deaths.
Questioning the Legitimacy of Hero Status

Protesters are questioning the rationale behind granting hero status to Suharto, particularly given the circumstances of his departure from power. They raise critical questions, such as why Suharto stepped down in 1998 and why his entire "New Order" regime had to be overthrown if he was considered a national hero. This line of questioning suggests a perceived inconsistency between his alleged contributions and the eventual downfall of his leadership amidst mass protests and an economic crisis.
Concerns Over Historical Revisionism

The demonstrations reflect a wider unease in Indonesia about the potential for historical revisionism. Some activists carried placards with messages like "Stop the Whitewashing of the General of Butchery" and "Thousands Died But The Country Chose to Forget," indicating a fear that the proposed honour for Suharto would serve to downplay or erase the atrocities committed during his regime. The involvement of prominent rights groups such as Amnesty International Indonesia and the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) underscores the seriousness of these concerns.

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Why are activists protesting the proposed national hero status for Suharto?

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