Indonesia Grants National Hero Status to Late Strongman President Suharto

POLITIC - JAKARTA. Indonesia awarded the title of national hero on Monday to late President Suharto, who was forced out of office in 1998 by violent protests that ended a three-decade rule marred by accusations of mass human rights violations, corruption and nepotism.

The title was conferred in a ceremony presided over by President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto's former son-in-law, despite protests by pro-democracy activists and the families of those affected by the strongman's iron-fisted rule. Prabowo took office one year ago.