President Prabowo Bestows the Title of National Hero for Gus Dur and Soeharto

Jakarta: President Prabowo Subianto officially bestowed the title of National Hero to 10 national figures. The award ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday, November 10, 2025.

The awarding of the title of National Hero was based on Presidential Decree Number 116tk of 2025 concerning the Bestowal of the Title of National Hero. The following 10 figures were awarded the title of National Hero:

Abdurachman Wahid (Gus Dur) from East Java
Ret. General Suharto from Central Java
Marsinah from East Java
Mochtar Kusumaatmaja from West Java
Hajjah Rahma El Yunusiyyah from West Sumatra
Ret. General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo from Central Java
Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin from West Nusa Tenggara
Syaikhona Muhammad Kholil from East Java
Tenaga Rondahaim Saragih from North Sumatra
Zainal Abisin Syah from North Maluku

The title of hero was awarded to the heirs who came to represent them. Among them were Sinta Nuriyah who represented the awarding of the title of national hero to Gus Dur, Bambang Trihatmodjo who represented the acceptance of the title of national hero to Soeharto, and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono who was present to represent the awarding of the title of national hero to his grandfather, Sarwo Edhie Wibowo.

Several political parties support awarding the title of National Hero to Soeharto and Gus Dur. These parties include the NasDem Party, the National Mandate Party, and the Democratic Party.

The Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, emphasized that his party has no problem with the proposal to award the title of National Hero to Soeharto. NasDem supports the proposal.

"NasDem has indeed issued a statement, and we agree," said Surya Paloh.

Regarding the pros and cons of awarding the title of National Hero, Surya Paloh believes this is a consequence of government policy. However, he is confident that the government has prepared everything thoroughly.

NasDem, he said, views Soeharto's role as the second President of the Republic of Indonesia from a positive perspective. During his 32 years leading Indonesia, Soeharto is considered to have developed the country quite well.

"I think, given the long span of 32 years in office, it's difficult to dismiss the objective reality that President Soeharto's position and role have provided significant progress, and his presence as President has brought significant progress to our national development, such as what we are enjoying today," said Surya Paloh.

National Mandate Party (PAN) Chairman Zulkifli Hasan echoed this sentiment. Zulhas, Zulkifli's nickname, believes that Soeharto and Gus Dur, who served as presidents, have certainly rendered services to the nation.

"The reason PAN agrees is, firstly, that as presidents, they have certainly rendered services, sacrifices, and achievements for the advancement of the nation and state," Zulhas said.

He said that being a national leader is inherently fraught with historical dynamics and perspectives. As humans, he continued, no one is perfect; there are both good and bad points.

"That's natural. But as head of government and head of state, each president will experience a unique historical phase and narrative of struggle, etched in the nation's journey, from generation to generation," Zulhas said.

Meanwhile, the General Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), acknowledged that Soeharto and Gus Dur had shortcomings. However, both still made significant contributions to the nation's journey.

"A great nation is one that respects the services of its predecessors. Gus Dur and Pak Harto, with all their strengths and weaknesses, made extraordinary contributions to Indonesia during their lifetimes," said AHY.

Therefore, he supports the proposal to make Soeharto and Gus Dur National Heroes. According to him, state recognition of the services of previous presidents is a sign of national maturity, particularly in viewing history holistically and fairly, without getting bogged down in past political differences.

"Every era has its own challenges and context. Our task today is to continue their struggle, strengthen unity, uphold justice, and ensure the people live in prosperity," said AHY.

The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development (Menko Infrawil) cited the example of when the founder of the Democratic Party, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), served as the sixth President of the Republic of Indonesia. SBY awarded the title of national hero to former President Soekarno in 2012.

"Of course, there were pros and cons, but Mr. SBY at the time viewed it comprehensively through the existing mechanisms. As an ordinary human being, Bung Karno certainly had his shortcomings, but his contributions to the country cannot be forgotten. That's what makes English "Mr. SBY is confident in giving the title of National Hero to Bung Karno," said AHY.