How amnesia is turning Asia’s tyrants into heroes

INDONESIA’s decision to honor former dictator Suharto as a hero is a stark reminder that authoritarianism’s appeal endures in Southeast 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.

- By Karishma Vaswani

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto — Suharto’s former son-in-law — posthumously awarded him the title of National Hero, the country’s highest civilian honor on Nov. 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.

This willingness to whitewash history is reflective of a broader trend across the region.

The announcement provoked outrage from human rights groups, but perhaps more striking was the relatively muted public response. In acountry famous for street protests, there were no mass demonstrations. This is a sharp contrast to the student-led uprising that brought down Suharto’s regime (known as Orde Baru or New Order) in 1998, and the more recent Gen Z protests over a slowing economy and perks for politicians.

The dictator presided over more than three decades of military-backed rule, an era marked by rapid economic growth but also corruption, cronyism, and human rights abuses. His government, backed by a brutal army, controlled the press and jailed or disappeared political opponents.

His rehabilitation today is remarkable. “This is part of how we honor our predecessors — especially our leaders who, despite everything, made extraordinary contributions to the nation,” said State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi.