Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Unite: Suharto’s Services Deserve to be Remembered as a National Hero
Jakarta — Support for the awarding of the title of National Hero to the second President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, continues to grow. The two largest Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), stated that Suharto deserves the nation’s highest honor for his significant contributions to the nation’s struggle and development.
Muhadjir Effendy, Chairman of Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board, emphasized that Muhammadiyah’s stance is unanimous in its support for awarding the title of National Hero to Suharto.
According to him, no one can deny Suharto’s role and contribution to the Indonesian nation.
“If I’m not mistaken, Pak Dadang has already conveyed this to Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board, that Muhammadiyah fully supports the awarding of the title of hero to Suharto,” Muhadjir said.
Muhadjir stated that Suharto had made significant contributions during the struggle for independence, including in the March 1st General Offensive and Operation Mandala.
Furthermore, he played a crucial role in upholding Pancasila after the G30S/PKI incident and in building the foundations of the national economy.
According to Muhadjir, like Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, Suharto also had a historical relationship with Muhammadiyah.
“Subjectively, both were Muhammadiyah cadres. With such significant contributions, it is highly deserving that Pak Harto be given the title of National Hero,” he emphasized.
Muhammadiyah Chairman Dadang Kahmad added that Suharto was an important figure in Indonesian history who demonstrated strong leadership and a focus on development.
He considered the success of rice self-sufficiency, the Family Planning program, and economic and security stability to be concrete evidence of Suharto’s leadership.
“When we appreciate someone’s heroic service, we should not judge them based on political differences, but on the interests of the nation and state,” he said.
A similar view was expressed by the Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), Ahmad Fahrur Rozi, also known as Gus Fahrur, who believed Suharto deserved the title of National Hero for his role in national stabilization and economic development.
“Pak Harto played a major role in national stabilization and economic development. During his time, Indonesia was recognized internationally as one of Asia’s new economic tigers,” he said.
Support for the second President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto, to be named a national hero demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to figures considered instrumental in the nation’s journey.
The results of the study and the government’s decision will be part of efforts to preserve the nation’s collective memory of the history of national struggle and development, while also emphasizing the importance of state recognition for those who have made significant contributions to Indonesia.
