Indonesian National Hero Awarding Polemic: Soeharto and Gus Dur
Have you heard that two of the late former Indonesian Republic presidents, Soeharto and Gus Dur, are going to be awarded a national hero title? If this is the first time you heard the news, this is something you need to know. The awarding plan seems to stir a new controversy, in particular Soeharto's candidacy here.
The controversy started to arise because some people and parties think that Soeharto had done more 'destruction' than development to this country and nation. This is contrary to the past fact that Soeharto in his lifetime used to be called 'Bapak Pembangunan Indonesia' (Indonesian Development Father). Fadjroel Rohman, an anti-corruption activist, blatantly and firmly opposes the idea even though based on the regulation on national heroes title awarding, Soeharto is eligible enough to nominate. Rohman seemed to be more in favor of Gus Dur's nomination since he acknowledged Gus Dur's significant role in spreading pluralism and democracy in Indonesia but at the same time repeatedly gave reasons why Soeharto ought not to be awarded national hero title. Despite Soeharto's all good deeds, Rohman added, Soeharto was proven to be the corruptest leader (Rohman said the claim was issued by the United Nation's investigation report, not his own groundless accusation).
While Gus Dur's pluralist reputation gave him an advantage to gain support to being a national hero, Soeharto's corrupt notoriety has wiped out all his noble hardwork and dedication to this nation.
So what do you think, should the late president Soeharto get the title or not?
2 comments:
Wow dude, thanks for the link at the top. I'm thrilled. Btw nice, post this one. I think Pak Harto had his chance and he blew it. Yes he made a good mark, but those marks erased by his bad. Corruption is one thing, what about other things that he endorsed during his administration ? rampant human right abuse ? killing of the innocence ?
I sincerely respect him, despite his shortcomings, and his bad too, and I acknowledged his contribution to this nation. But awarding a hero to him, is too far fetched. I would not say as far as an insult, but it will not be fair to put him on equal as our founding fathers and other national heroes who fight the war, and died in the name of this country even far before they taste the sweetness of freedom.
On second note, if we tolerate Pak Harto and still give him a hero stamp, it will means that we will tolerate our self to be a victim of future dictator (god forbid)
rihan
www.simplenotch.com
Hey, welcome to this blog!Hmm, yeah, you're the one who inspired me to build this blog so I thought you deserve the link on the top menu bar. I honestly got puzzled what to do with my non-English learning posts and you pushed me to keep posting my wild ideas.haha...Thanks anyway!
On the controversy, I guess you're right. I'm with you in this case. Soeharto was a multi-faceted personality, which makes us impossible to judge fairly. On one hand, he was an angel sent by God to save our nation from being a poverty-ridden country to an economically emerging country. On the other hand, his reign and regime had taken so much from this country; natural resources, funds, some of the most vocal and brilliant intellectuals' lives, freedom of speech, democracy. The cost and toll were too much.
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