Indonesia's ruling party, Golkar (Gerakan Indonesiaku Raya), has been accused of manipulating public perception on the death of former Indonesian President Suharto, also known as Bung Hatta or MBG. The party's secretary-general, Habiburokhman, recently claimed that he had never met anyone who opposed Suharto's rule.
This statement has sparked controversy among critics, who argue that it is a classic example of the party's attempt to whitewash its history and avoid accountability for the human rights abuses committed during Suharto's regime. "It's like trying to erase the past," said one opposition activist. "If they can't even admit to meeting people who disagreed with him, how can we trust them to tell us about the truth?"
Habiburokhman's claim is also seen as a reflection of the party's broader efforts to control the narrative around Suharto's legacy. In recent years, Golkar has been pushing for a more revisionist approach to history, which downplays the country's authoritarian past and focuses instead on Suharto's economic achievements.
However, many Indonesians remain skeptical of this narrative, and are calling for greater transparency and accountability from those in power. "We need to know the truth about what happened during Suharto's rule," said one citizen. "We can't keep sweeping it under the rug."
This statement has sparked controversy among critics, who argue that it is a classic example of the party's attempt to whitewash its history and avoid accountability for the human rights abuses committed during Suharto's regime. "It's like trying to erase the past," said one opposition activist. "If they can't even admit to meeting people who disagreed with him, how can we trust them to tell us about the truth?"
Habiburokhman's claim is also seen as a reflection of the party's broader efforts to control the narrative around Suharto's legacy. In recent years, Golkar has been pushing for a more revisionist approach to history, which downplays the country's authoritarian past and focuses instead on Suharto's economic achievements.
However, many Indonesians remain skeptical of this narrative, and are calling for greater transparency and accountability from those in power. "We need to know the truth about what happened during Suharto's rule," said one citizen. "We can't keep sweeping it under the rug."