Indonesia has bestowed the title of national hero on its former president, Suharto, a move that has sparked outrage and reopened old wounds from one of the country’s darkest chapters. The honor was announced on Monday (Nov 9) during a ceremony led by President Prabowo Subianto — Suharto’s former son-in-law — despite widespread protests from pro-democracy groups and families of victims who suffered under his authoritarian regime. Suharto, who ruled Indonesia for more than three decades before being forced from power in 1998, was accused of widespread human rights abuses, corruption, and nepotism.

During the ceremony at the state palace in Jakarta, Prabowo presented the award to Suharto’s daughter and son. “A prominent figure from Central Java and a hero of the independence struggle, General Suharto stood out since the early days of Indonesia’s freedom,” the announcer declared. The award, which recognizes citizens who have made major contributions to the country since its independence in 1945, was given to ten Indonesians this year, including Suharto, who died in 2008.

Suharto, a military officer, rose to power in 1967 after seizing control from Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno. His rule brought economic growth and relative stability, but it was also defined by political repression and a culture of corruption that benefited his family and close allies. His leadership ended abruptly in 1998 after violent protests during the Asian financial crisis forced him to resign, leaving behind a country in economic and social turmoil. Before the ceremony, Suharto’s portrait — showing him in military uniform — was displayed among the other honorees at the state palace. His picture stood between those of former president Abdurrahman Wahid and labor activist Marsinah, who had been kidnapped and killed during Suharto’s rule.

The decision to honor Suharto has divided the nation. Activists and survivors of his regime see it as an attempt to rewrite history and erase the suffering of those who opposed him. Demonstrations took place in Jakarta ahead of the announcement, with protesters holding banners condemning what they described as “historical whitewashing.” Among them was Tadius Priyo Utomo, a 47-year-old activist who flew from East Timor to join the protest. “Our past struggles are being ignored,” he said. “We fought against Suharto’s dictatorship, and now he’s being celebrated as a hero.”

Under Suharto’s rule, Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed it soon after, maintaining a harsh military occupation that lasted until his downfall. East Timor eventually gained independence in 2002. Suharto’s government also used the military to suppress dissent across Indonesia, silencing critics and jailing opponents. Despite repeated allegations of massive corruption and human rights violations, he was never prosecuted, as he remained shielded by his political connections and poor health in his later years.

For many Indonesians, the decision to award Suharto the title of national hero reflects the growing influence of his former allies within the current administration. President Prabowo, once married to Suharto’s daughter and a former special forces commander under his rule, has himself faced accusations of human rights abuses in East Timor — allegations he has consistently denied. Critics like Marzuki Darusman, a former attorney general and head of the 1998 riots investigation, warn that the move could signal a return to military dominance in politics. “Prabowo can do everything Suharto did because he is now protected by his heroism,” Darusman said, referring to the increasing role of the military since Prabowo took office.

Suharto’s political legacy continues to shape modern Indonesia. His former party, Golkar, remains one of the country’s most powerful political forces and is a key supporter of Prabowo’s government, holding several influential cabinet positions. Political analyst Kevin O’Rourke, author of Reformasi: The Struggle for Power in Post-Soeharto Indonesia, said naming Suharto a national hero risks sanitizing history and undermining Indonesia’s democratic progress. “It’s not easy to put democracy back in the box once people have lived with it,” he said, noting that half of Indonesia’s population is too young to remember Suharto’s era but still lives with its consequences.

For those who remember, the pain remains fresh. Every Thursday for nearly two decades, members of a group known as Aksi Kamisan have gathered silently outside the presidential palace, dressed in black, demanding justice for those who disappeared or were killed during Suharto’s rule. Many still have no answers about what happened to their loved ones. Government officials have defended the decision to honor Suharto. Culture Minister Fadli Zon stated that thorough research was conducted before granting the title and that Suharto met all the necessary criteria. He also dismissed claims that Suharto was responsible for the mass killings of 1965, in which an estimated half a million people were killed during the anti-communist purges that brought him to power. Indonesia has never formally investigated those killings, leaving one of the country’s darkest periods officially unresolved.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

China has officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marking a significant step in its military modernization, though experts caution that achieving full operational capability will take time. President Xi Jinping attended the commissioning and flag-raising ceremony in Hainan province on Wednesday, touring the vessel, according to Xinhua.

Unlike China’s first two carriers, which were based on Russian designs, the Fujian features a flat flight deck and electromagnetic catapults, enabling it to launch heavier and more numerous jet fighters. During sea trials before commissioning, the Chinese navy deployed the carrier-adapted J-35 stealth fighter, the KJ-600 early-warning aircraft, and a variant of the J-15 fighter. Chinese officials and state media have hailed the carrier as a “milestone” for the navy.

State media reported that the crew saluted Xi on deck with chants emphasizing loyalty, readiness for combat, and exemplary conduct. Regional analysts will be closely observing the Fujian’s upcoming deployments to assess its path toward combat readiness, including flight operations and coordination with support vessels and submarines. Ben Lewis, founder of the open-source platform PLATracker, estimates it could take at least a year for the carrier to reach full operational status, given its largely new systems. Singapore-based analyst Collin Koh noted that recent footage showed unarmed J-15s taking off from the catapults, indicating that operations are still in early testing.

The deployment of the KJ-600 is significant, as it aids in integrating the complex elements of carrier operations and extends the carrier’s operational range. China’s earlier carriers, like the Liaoning commissioned in 2012, have primarily been used cautiously as test platforms, though they have started venturing east of Japan and toward Guam, a major U.S. military hub. Analysts expect more ambitious deployments from the Fujian in the future.

The Fujian is diesel-powered, limiting its range compared to nuclear-powered U.S. carriers, which can operate for years without refueling. Experts estimate the Fujian would require refueling after roughly 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km). A Pentagon report last December highlighted that the Fujian and future carriers would enhance China’s power projection, particularly with specialized electronic warfare and anti-submarine aircraft, boosting the striking capability of potential People’s Liberation Army Navy carrier groups beyond China’s immediate region.

Koh suggested the Fujian will also serve a strong domestic propaganda role, with exercises likely near Taiwan, though its role in a conflict scenario remains uncertain. He described the carrier as a potential game-changer for China, while noting that many operational capabilities still need testing and refinement.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized expanding mutual investment with Russia and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties despite global instability, according to Chinese state media. Xi met Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, following a meeting a day earlier between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Mishustin in Hangzhou, where Li underscored China’s intent to deepen cooperation with Russia and safeguard shared security interests.

Moscow has stressed the importance of Mishustin’s visit as Russia faces sweeping Western sanctions over its war in Ukraine and seeks to counter a recent slowdown in trade with China. Xi stated that China-Russia relations have continued to advance toward “higher-level and higher-quality development” despite external turbulence, describing their partnership as a “strategic choice” for both nations. He identified energy, agriculture, aerospace, the digital economy, and green development as key sectors for future collaboration and growth.

Mishustin, for his part, called for the creation of favorable conditions to encourage mutual investment and support joint ventures, as reported by Russia’s TASS news agency. Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a “no-limits” partnership in February 2022, shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Russia has leaned on China to mitigate the impact of sanctions, boosting trade, settling more transactions in yuan, and expanding energy cooperation.

However, trade between the two countries has declined in recent months as Beijing faces increasing U.S. pressure over trade and technology. Last month, Reuters reported that Chinese state oil companies halted purchases of seaborne Russian crude following U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest oil firms.

In a joint statement released Tuesday on the Russian government’s website, both nations pledged to enhance cooperation across all sectors and respond jointly to external challenges. Russia also reiterated its support for China’s “one-China” policy and its opposition to “Taiwan independence.” China considers Taiwan a part of its territory, while the self-governed island rejects this claim, asserting that only its people can determine their own future.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and shifting global trade dynamics, Asia-Pacific leaders concluded the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Saturday by adopting a joint declaration calling for resilience and equitable sharing of trade benefits. The summit, hosted by South Korea, took place against the backdrop of intensifying economic rivalries, including U.S. tariffs and China’s export restrictions, that have reshaped global commerce. The declaration underscored the need for stronger cooperation among member economies while acknowledging deepening fractures in the traditional trade order.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced several trade deals with China and South Korea before the summit but departed ahead of the leaders’ session. Analysts noted that U.S. positions remained evident in the final statement, which omitted any reference to multilateralism or the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“This reflects a broader acceptance that restoring the old multilateral trade system may no longer be realistic,” said Professor Heo Yoon of Sogang University in Seoul. “There is a clear paradigm shift in global trade.”  With the U.S. stepping back from its traditional leadership role, Chinese President Xi Jinping positioned China as a steadfast supporter of free and open trade. Xi announced that China would host the 2026 APEC summit in Shenzhen. However, experts observed that the joint declaration avoided portraying China as a new defender of multilateralism, recognizing that no trade system can exclude the United States.

On the sidelines of the summit, Xi concluded a three-day visit to South Korea, holding talks and a state dinner with President Lee Jae Myung. The newly elected South Korean leader faces the challenge of balancing ties between Washington and Beijing while managing tensions with North Korea. Lee expressed optimism about improving relations with China, stating, “We must go beyond simple restoration to create a path of cooperation beneficial to both sides.”

Earlier in the week, Lee hosted President Trump for a brief state visit that produced a surprise trade agreement lowering U.S. tariffs in exchange for major South Korean investments. Similar high-level engagements were organized for Xi, marking his first visit to South Korea in over a decade. Lee’s office confirmed that he and Xi discussed the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula—a topic North Korea quickly dismissed as an unrealistic “pipe dream.”

In his closing remarks at APEC, Xi proposed establishing a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to enhance collaboration in emerging technologies. The summit also adopted declarations on demographic change and AI, though there was no discussion of regulatory frameworks. The 2025 APEC summit will be hosted by Peru before China takes the helm in 2026, setting the stage for continued debate over the future of global trade and technology governance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

On November 11, Thailand’s government announced it would suspend the implementation of an enhanced ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, which had been signed in October in the presence of US President Donald Trump. The government also stated it would brief Washington on its decision. The move comes after a landmine explosion the previous day injured four Thai soldiers. Andrea Heng and Hairianto discuss the potential impact of this suspension on the ongoing conflict with Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, an independent expert on international relations and security affairs and former chairman of the Prime Minister's Security Advisory Committee.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Utt, one of MTV Asia’s most beloved VJs during the 1990s and 2000s, hosted Mediacorp’s cult-classic horror docuseries Incredible Tales for eight seasons between 2004 and 2017. Now 51, he has returned to Singapore to join the video podcast series Tales From Incredible Tales, currently in its third season. The vodcast revisits some of the most iconic episodes from the original show. Hairianto Diman speaks with Utt Panichkul about his experience as host and how the show’s success has influenced his career.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Sanae Takaichi has become Japan's first female prime minister, yet she immediately faces significant challenges. Taking office amid a slow-growing economy and rising living costs, she must address public frustration over inflation and the burden of daily expenses. Genevieve Woo talks with CNA’s Michiyo Ishida to explore the implications of Takaichi’s victory for Japan’s future, as she manages both domestic pressures and complex international relations.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Singaporean students keep choosing the US for higher education, remaining undeterred by uncertainties from the Trump administration. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin explore this topic further with Dr. Chan Khai Leok, Managing Director of theRightU.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.