Golkar Party Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia met with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday, November 3, 2025 proposing that Indonesia’s second president, Soeharto, be granted the title of national hero.
Bahlil said the proposal had been formally agreed upon by Golkar’s Central Executive Board, citing Soeharto’s contributions to national development during his 32-year rule.
“It is time for the government to grant him the title of national hero. That’s the Golkar Executive Board’s decision,” Bahlil told reporters at the Presidential Palace, as quoted by Antara. “President Prabowo said he accepted the proposal and will consider it according to existing regulations.”
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi previously expressed similar views, saying that all former presidents deserved national recognition. He described Soeharto as a figure who had played a major role in Indonesia’s development and urged the public not to focus solely on his shortcomings.
“Let’s not only see the flaws − let’s also acknowledge his achievements. As President Prabowo often says, we are here today because of the accomplishments of our predecessors,” Prasetyo said at the State Secretariat Office on April 21, 2025.
However, the proposal drew criticism from the Setara Institute, which called it a betrayal of the 1998 Reformasi movement and inconsistent with the rule of law.
Setara Institute’s National Council Chair Hendardi argued that removing Soeharto’s name from People’s Consultative Assembly Decree No. XI/MPR/1998, which addressed corruption, collusion, and nepotism, signaled a political shift under President Prabowo’s administration.
“This is not a mere administrative move − it is symbolic, reflecting the rehabilitation of the New Order’s political legacy,” Hendardi said on Monday, October 27, 2025. “It’s a mistake that ignores the historical facts of Soeharto’s 32 years in power, marked by human rights violations, corruption, and abuse of authority.”
Previously, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) submitted 40 names of figures proposed for the title of national hero. The proposals were submitted to the Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Council for Titles, Medals, and Honors (GTK), Fadli Zon.
Some of the proposed figures include the second President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto, the fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), and Marsinah, a female labor activist from Nganjuk, East Java.
"These proposals are names that have been discussed over the past few years. So, some may have met the requirements five years ago, six years ago, or just this year. These include President Soeharto, President Abdurrahman Wahid, and Marsinah," Gus Ipul said as quoted in a statement on October 21, 2025.
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