Indonesia added former president Suharto to a list of national heroes during a ceremony on Monday, despite objections from activists and academics over the deceased military dictator’s human rights record.

In a decree read by the presidential military secretary, Suharto was named among 10 honorees newly dubbed national heroes, joining a list of more than 200 people that includes the first democratically elected president, as well as prominent women’s rights advocates, Islamic scholars and independence activists.

Sitting President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s former son-in-law, presided over Monday’s National Hero Day ceremony.

In response to outcry over the plan to include Suharto, Prabowo’s office had insisted he has the right to bestow the title upon whomever he chooses.

Former presid

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