Indifferent, nostalgic or plain pragmatic: Indonesia Gen Zs react to strongman Suharto’s national hero status

Indonesia's recent decision to declare former dictator Suharto a national hero has sparked outrage among activists and survivors of his regime, who view the move as a blatant attempt at whitewashing history. Suharto, who ruled Indonesia for over three decades, is remembered for his human rights abuses and corruption, making the announcement controversial. While many in Indonesia's Gen Z demographic have reacted with indifference or nostalgia, the decision highlights a generational divide in perceptions of Suharto's legacy.