TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Golkar party seems to be relentless in its fight to recognize former President Soeharto as a national hero.

At the closing ceremony of the party’s extraordinary national meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday last week, the proposal to recognize Soeharto a national hero became a decision of the party and an unfinished task for the newly elected chairman of the party, Setya Novanto.

This controversy surrounding the issue is actually not the first time.

After Soeharto died in January 2008, a number of politicians from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Golkar Party proposed to the government to recognize Soeharto as a national hero.

The proposal added the news euphoria on the passing of Soeharto and all his merits.

The people were then divided into pros and cronies.

A number of politicians and historians then suspected the move as a ‘returning the favor’ politics for Cendana Family (Soeharto family) who is still economically and politically influential.

Soeharto’s daughter Siti Hediati, for example, is now a member of the House of Representatives from the Golkar Party.

His eldest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra a.k.a. Tommy Soeharto, was often mentioned as one of the candidates of the chairman of the Golkar Party and he is even dubbed as a presidential candidate for the 2019 Presidential Election. Tommy also attended the extraordinary national meeting of the party in Bali.

Apart from that, the fact is, there are many problems that have to be cleared before recognizing Soeharto as a national hero.

In the 30 September 1965 Movement incident, Soeharto did find several generals who were tortured and killed at Lubang Buaya. However, there was an impression that Soeharto let the tragedy happen.

In fact, at that time, he was Commander of the Army Strategic Command who was responsible for the safety of the government and the president.

After the 30 September 1965 Movement incident, there were massive killing to those accused of being linked to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) – all was done without court process and happened during Soeharto presidency.

Another big issue also emerged regarding the policies of the New Order government that sided with Soeharto’s colleagues and families.

Former First Lady Siti Hartinah or better known as Bu Tien was declared as a national hero in 1996, with no one questioning its appropriateness.

In addition, corruption cases of the state finances involving Soeharto have not been completely settled.

It seems that recognizing Soeharto as a national hero has not become a priority.

What is more important is to strengthen out the history and give legal certainty for all accusations against Soeharto and his cronies.

Besides, Social Affairs Ministry already has procedures on recognizing someone as national hero. We also have the Council of Titles, Decoration, and Honors. Let the council weigh the process without being urged.

A hero certainly cannot be tainted by deeds that spoil his struggles.

(*)