Lawsuit Challenging Soeharto's National Hero Title Continues

The legal process challenging the awarding of the National Hero title to Soeharto through Presidential Decree Number 116/TK/2025 is ongoing at the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN). The court has granted a request for Soeharto’s heir, Siti Hardiyanti Hastuti Rukmana, to join the proceedings as an Intervening Defendant II. This development was confirmed by the civil society coalition GEMAS, which is comprised of victims of gross human rights violations and various civil society organisations.

GEMAS representative Jane Rosalina stated that the inclusion of the Soeharto family member adds a new dynamic to the case. The group maintains that the dispute concerns the legality of a public administrative action by the President and should not involve private family interests. Despite their objection, the panel of judges approved the intervention, and the family has since submitted their response to the lawsuit.

The core of the lawsuit, which has now entered the replication and duplication phase, argues that the hero title is procedurally and substantively flawed. GEMAS contends that the award contradicts the state’s own legal references, including findings by the National Commission on Human Rights regarding gross human rights violations and the MPR Decree on eradicating Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism (KKN). The plaintiffs assert that the title should be based on moral integrity and justice for victims, not political compromise, and they are committed to monitoring the trial to ensure a decision is made based on law and administrative justice.