Dwi Bowo Raharjo, Alfian Winanto – Activists from the Victim's Solidarity Network for Justice (JSKK) took part in the 857th Kamisan action opposite from the Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday April 10. The Kamisan action was voicing opposition to awarding the title of national hero on the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto.
The protesters believe that that appointing Suharto as a hero is a form of denial of history by the state regarding the suffering of millions of victims of violence and serious human rights violations during Suharto's New Order regime.
Earlier, the discourse on awarding Suharto with the title of national hero resurfaced along with the revocation of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree stating that the 2nd President was involved in corrupt practices.
In addition to this, the Kamsian protesters also called for the rejection of the recently enacted revisions to the Indonesian Military Law (UU TNI) and asked that the soldiers return to the barracks.
- National hero title for Suharto attempt to erase history, whitewash his crimes. Kontras Press Release – April 10, 2025
- Removal of Suharto's name from MPR decree setback for reformasi: Amnesty. CNN Indonesia – September 26, 2024
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Aksi Kamisan ke-857, Tolak Soeharto Diberikan Gelar Pahlawan Nasional".]
