Sabtu 14 Nov 2015 06:20 WIB

Controversy over title of national hero for Soeharto

Rep: C09/ Red: Julkifli Marbun

Foto: EPA/Weda

Seroang pelukis melukis wajah Presiden RI ke-2 Soeharto.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, By: Fira Nursya'bani

A request for 2nd former president of Indonesia, Soeharto, to be nominated as a national hero had been again proposed. The one who proposed it was Association of Indonesian Care Community (HMPI). HMPI stated that Soeharto was considered to be able to survive for more than 30 years as a number one person in Indonesia, because he had great ideas for people of Indonesia. "If he has no authentic ideas and thoughts, he was impossible to survive for decades. He had ideas to change the country gradually," said Secretary General of HMPI, Tri Joko Susilo, to Republika.co.id, Wednesday (4/11) ago.

Member of Commission III of House of Representatives from PKS faction, Nasir Djamil, said the parties who proposed former President Soeharto to become a national hero should have objective assessment. "He had many legal cases, such as the case of Super Semar Foundation. Don't make a new controversy by proposing him as a national hero," he said, Monday (9/11).

Nevertheless, he stated that every citizen has a right to nominate any figures to be a national hero, according to the qualification. However, the government should do a review before giving nomination to someone as national hero. After being reviewed, examined, explored, and studied, the last decision will depend on the President. "Later results of the review have to be submitted to Ministry of Social. Then the president who will decide, whether a figure can be a national hero," Nasir added.

Besides Nasir, Chairman of Caucus Presidium of Nahdlatul Ulama's Young Women, Susianah Affandy, also express her disagree over nomination of national hero title to Soeharto. She said the government needs to carefully consider the negative impact of Soeharto reign before making a decision. "Still I remember human rights violations in Soeharto era which were done massively," she said, Tuesday (10/11) ago.

For example, after G30S/PKI tragedy in 1965, many people were detained without trial. Then, in 1980s and 1990s, people was intimidated if they were not supporting the development policies. In the name of development, under the responsibility of Soeharto, many people were displaced, for example, in Kedungombo, Central Java. Mysterious shooting incident also occurred in Soeharto era, such as in Tanjung Priok, in Malari incident, in Talangsari Lampung when there was banning freedom of the press, in East Timor incident, and when Military Operations Area (DOM) occurred in Aceh and Papua.