From Dictator to “Hero”? Indonesia’s Democratic Backsliding
Suharto Titled “ National Hero ” On November 10 2025, Indonesia conferred the title of Gelar Pahlawan Nasional (“ National Hero ”) on former President Suharto, prompting widespread discussion. Such an act matters far beyond symbolic commemoration: it revives public debate over historical memory, addresses issues of transitional justice, and interprets the legacy of its authoritarian era. Many domestic and international observers have read the award as part of a broader political moment in...