Islamist party backs Soeharto’s hero candidacy

JAKARTA: The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) is supporting a campaign to give former dictator Soeharto national hero status for his “outstanding contribution to the national development for more than three decades”.

“Pak Harto greatly contributed to the development of the nation,” PKS secretary-general Anis Matta said Monday.

PKS, Anis said, could forgive Soeharto for his past mistakes because “to err is human”.

“Everybody, including a national hero, makes mistakes.”

Soeharto, who died in 2008, is among 10 names that have been proposed to the government to be given the national hero status. Soeharto’s nomination is probably the most controversial ever.

Victims and relatives of human rights abuses have been the strongest opposition. — JP