The Civil Society Movement to Bring Suharto to Justice (GEMAS) strongly condemns the awarding of the title of national hero on the second President of the Republic of Indonesia H. M. Suharto and Sarwo Edhie Wibowo.

To: THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta
Regarding: Request to reject the award of the title of national hero for retired General H.M. Suharto.

Erick Tanjung, Fakhri Fuadi – The Civil Society Movement to Bring Suharto to Justice (GEMAS) held a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Culture offices in Central Jakarta on Thursday November 6 at which they firmly rejected the discourse of awarding the title of national hero to the second President of the Republi

Jakarta – The Indonesian Caucus for Academic Freedom (KIKA) has rejected the proposal to name Indonesia's second president Suharto a national hero.

The proposal to name former president Suharto a national hero is a policy that is blind to history and defies the law. During his 32 years in power, Suharto ruled over an authoritarian and corrupt regime, with a record of gross human rights violations.

On Thursday October 30, the Civil Society Movement to Bring Suharto to Justice (GEMAS), which consists of victims of gross human rights violations, individuals and civil society organisations, officially sent an open letter urging the chairperson of the Titles, Service and Honorary Medals Board (GTK

Jakarta – A number of historians and civil society groups have criticised the proposal that the late 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, be awarded the title of national hero.

Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka took up a populist platform during the election campaign, garnering the full support from the oligarchy and mainstream political parties, and ultimately secured a victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Responding to the inclusion of the name of the second president of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, on the list of candidates for the title of national hero, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said:

Jakarta – Civil Society Movement to Bring Suharto to Justice (GEMAS) says that the proposal by the Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos), Saifullah Yusuf alias Gus Ipul, for the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto to be named a national hero