Soeharto and Duterte: Two Opposing Legacies in Southeast Asia
The Southeast Asian region has witnessed the rise and fall of strongmen leaders, each leaving their mark on history in unique ways. Soeharto and Rodrigo Duterte, two iconic figures, stand as contrasting examples of leadership and its consequences.
The Authoritarian Legacy of Soeharto
Soeharto, the former president of Indonesia, is remembered for his authoritarian rule and the brutal methods employed to maintain power. His New Order regime, which lasted for over three decades, was characterized by coercion, surveillance, censorship, and military repression. The massacres of 1965-1966, which paved the way for his rise to power, claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Despite this dark history, Soeharto's legacy is being reimagined in a positive light.
In 2025, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto elevated Soeharto to the status of a national hero, a move that sparked controversy. This act of canonisation, framed as national reconciliation, presents Soeharto's rule as a period of patriotism and discipline. Prabowo, once Soeharto's son-in-law, is a proud product of the same military apparatus that carried out the New Order repression. By honoring Soeharto, Prabowo legitimizes his ambitions to restore an Indonesia that is disciplined, centralized, and obedient.
However, Soeharto's memoir reveals a more complex picture. He admitted to authorizing extrajudicial killings, known as 'mysterious shootings,' in the early 1980s, targeting alleged 'gangsters.' Soeharto justified these actions as necessary to restore order and protect the people from criminal threats. The Komnas HAM (National Human Rights Commission) classified these killings as a gross human rights violation, indicating that the state's violence was organized and systematic.
Duterte's Trial and the Politics of Justice
In contrast, Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, faces a different fate. In March 2025, Duterte was arrested under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity related to his 'war on drugs,' which resulted in over 20,000 deaths. Duterte's brutality was not hidden; it was livestreamed and publicized by the algorithm. His tirades were broadcast online, making his violence a matter of public record.
Duterte's trial is not born of moral awakening but of political rupture. The Marcos-Duterte presidential alliance, which won the 2022 election, imploded, leading to Duterte's downfall. The Marcos family, known for their authoritarian rule, has now invoked the ICC to humble a rival. This justice, while genuine, is also instrumental, as it serves the interests of the Marcos family in the contest for power.
A Region in Transition
The contrasting fates of Soeharto and Duterte highlight the region's evolving relationship with strongmen leaders. The Philippines is cautiously exorcizing its strongman legacy, while Indonesia is deliberately canonizing its own. This split in treatment has significant implications for young Indonesians, who may be taught that discipline and development justify fear, and that accountability is negotiable.
As Southeast Asia grapples with its modern history, the region is witnessing a shift in how its strongmen leaders are remembered and honored. The choices made by governments will shape the future of these nations and their understanding of leadership and justice.
