Indonesia’s decision to honour former dictator Suharto as a hero is a reminder that when nations forget their authoritarian pasts, they risk inviting them back.
An activist holds a poster with a crossed portrait of former President Suharto during a protest against the government’s decision to name the late dictator as a national hero. The poster reads “Suharto is not a hero”. AP
Indonesia’s decision to honour former dictator Suharto as a hero is a stark reminder that authoritarianism’s appeal endures in South-East Asia. Enabled in part by a younger generation that may not fully grasp the dangers of autocratic rule, this collective amnesia threatens hard-won democratic gains.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto – Suharto’s former son-in-law – posthumously awarded him the title of National Hero, the country’s highest civilian honour, on November 10. It’s a recognition typically reserved for citizens who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation. Previous presidents, including Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo, had considered the move but ultimately declined.
