http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/heroism-honors-stir-up-a-debate/477237
Heroism Honors Stir Up A Debate Arientha Primanita & Markus Junianto Sihaloho | November 09, 2011 The late Indonesian president Suharto, seen in this May 1998 photo with his daughter Siti “Tutut” Hardiyanti Rukmana, was not among the heroes named. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday presented posthumous heroism titles to seven Indonesians for their dedication and service to the nation. Conspicuously absent from the list, however, were two late presidents: Suharto and Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid. A presidential decree awarded the heroism titles to Syafruddin Prawiranegara, a former acting president under the emergency government from 1948 to 1949; and Idham Chalid, a former long-time chairman of the country’s largest Islamic organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama. Also honored were Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah, a Muslim cleric better known as Buya Hamka; Ki Sarmidi Mangunsarkoro, considered a pioneer in education in Java; and I Gusti Ketut Puja, the first governor of Bali. The other recipients were Sunan Pakubuwono X, former head of the Solo Royal House and a key figure in Indonesia’s independence struggle; and Ignatius Joseph Kasimo Hendrowahyono, a Catholic politician. The title deeds were given to their families in a ceremony at the State Palace in Jakarta, with all members of the cabinet present. Sultan Sulaiman Syariful Alamsyah of the Serdang kingdom in North Sumatra, who died in 1946, was awarded a Bintang Mahaputra Adi Pradana award, the same award presented to Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie in August. Ten late humanitarians and artists received special honors, including Benyamin Sueb, a comedic actor who best represented the Betawi culture of Jakarta; Javanese culture expert Go Tik Swan; Hindu Ashram leader Gedong Bagus Oka; and dancer and choreographer Huriah Adam. Priyo Budi Santoso, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, welcomed the list of recipients but regretted that the government did not have the courage to include former presidents Suharto and Gus Dur for the title. Suharto, although recognized for developing the nation and raising its prosperity, has also been vilified for his three decades of iron-fisted rule, which was riddled with corruption and human rights violations. Djoko Suyanto, who heads the National Title Council, said no one had ever nominated Suharto or Gus Dur for the national heroism titles. Gus Dur, who promoted many pro-democratic reforms during his rule, was later unseated by the legislature, with which he had bad ties. “With figures as extraordinary as Bung Karno [President Sukarno], [Mohammad] Hatta and [General] Soedirman, if we really look for their mistakes, there will certainly be some,” Priyo said. “I am of the view that one day, at its own time, Suharto and Gus Dur will certainly obtain the national hero title.” Gus Dur’s daughter Zanuba Arifah Chafsoh, better known as Yenny, said the East Java provincial government had proposed Gus Dur for a national heroism title in 2010. “Therefore it is strange if there are people saying that there has been no such proposal,” she said. Yenny’s statement was echoed by Marwan Jafar, head of the House faction of the National Awakening Party (PKB), which was co-founded by Gus Dur. “We proposed it together and held a press conference with the minister there, which was covered by various media. How can they say there has never been a proposal?” Marwan said. Further Coverage Heroes’ gallery > A3 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
