Suharto - National hero?

[harryopal1]

Stone the crows! Suharto national hero? Next step "Saint Suharto."

 

[Shadrach]

Stone the crows! Suharto national hero? Next step "Saint Suharto."

I think in this case, as in many, The History that is being told is what the ruling class wants everyone to believe! As usually the Narrative being told to the People is what the Winners in the Conflict want everyone to believe. Even what is taught in Schools! Such as Marcos in the Philippines. All of these Dictators take all of the Countries Coffers, then claim to be just Normal People, that only made the determined wage at that time!
Another example is how the Aboriginal and the Native American Indigenous People were portrayed. People are told the Europeans that came, were there to teach the People Christianity, and to lose their own Religion, and way of living, and were put on reservations, forced to deny their own ancient ways, provided with lots of Alcohol, which their bodies were unfamiliar with. while the White People took all the best land, and forced the Natives to convert to Christianity and build the Monasteries, Churches, Etc! If they didn't comply many were beaten, and many were Murdered.Such a shameful past! Has anyone noticed that just a few Rich families always seem to control the Government?

 

[pantaiema]

Awarding Suharto a national 'hero' could imply that the masses and students who overthrew this dictator during the demonstrations in May 1998 were actually criminals or traitors.

What about the many former communist party members who vanished and were later found dead, their bodies dumped in rivers or forests?

And what about the activists who disappeared before the reform era?

During his rule, Indonesia was ranked as the most corrupt country in the world (No 1). Granting him the title of a national hero would set a dangerous precedent for current and future leaders in Indonesia or other countries in the world, suggesting that dictators who lead a nation into widespread corruption could still be celebrated as heroes. Wait until Hun Sen or other member of his family who allegedly profiting from human organ trading, force labor, torture in scam factotories in Myanmar could become a national hero.

Moreover, Suharto has already been nominated for the title three times, without any new contributions or achievements apart from his children, grandchildren keep pushing it probably with bribery, considering he has long passed away. Approving his hero title now on the third attempt would suggest that those who previously rejected it were unreasonable, making the wrong judgement.

Such a situation seems like something that could only happen in Indonesia.

 

[Minuteman]

I came here in 1974. Those days were the best of times.

 

[Bob]

I came here in 1974. Those days were the best of times.

For many, and certainly for expats.
For others, not so much as the government was still trying to dig out of the deep dark hole into which the previous administration had put the economy.

 

[savin399]

Stone the crows! Suharto national hero? Next step "Saint Suharto."

Reactions like this make sense because Suharto is one of those figures people see in completely opposite ways. Some remember stability and growth during his rule, others focus on the corruption and human rights issues. Calling him a national hero will always spark pushback because his legacy is so mixed. It’s hard to place someone in that category when the historical record is still debated by so many.

 

[harryopal1]

For those in power during the Suharto period of course he was a hero. For high ranking military and police officers, those in the know, family connections and with the President's blessing there were so many who made great fortunes with the legacy of enrichment and vast assets still held by those priveliged familes today. But for the millions of poor people, for those who were critical of the regime and those overtly showing any form of radicalism it was a time of oppression and fear and with the purge of people known to have socialist or communist ideals then torture and death were the rewards. A conservative estimate is that 750,000 were slaughtered across the archipelago with many historians putting the number even higher.

 

[Bob]

For many, and certainly for expats.
For others, not so much as the government was still trying to dig out of the deep dark hole into which the previous administration had put the economy.

and of course there were unhealed wounds from the previous decade for many.