Bangkok: Indonesia has bestowed the title of “national hero” on former president Suharto, who was ousted by the people after three decades of rule amid accusations of gross human rights abuses, corruption, and cronyism.

According to Thai News Agency, the handover ceremony took place today, presided over by President Prabowo Subianto. The master of ceremonies at the event, as the Indonesian leader presented plaques of appointment to Suharto’s daughter and son, noted that as a prominent figure from Central Java province and a hero of the fight for independence, General Suharto had been a distinguished figure since the time of Indonesia’s independence.

Indonesia gained independence from the Netherlands and Japan in 1945, the year World War II ended, and holds an annual ceremony honoring Indonesians who have made significant contributions to the country’s development. Ten people were named National Heroes this year, including Suharto, Indonesia’s second president and former father-in-law to Prabowo. He married his second daughter in 1983 but divorced her in 1998, the year Suharto faced widespread popular ostracism and died in 2008 at the age of 86.

Suharto has ruled Indonesia since 1967 after seizing power from the generals of the country’s first president, Sukarno, in 1965. Historians say at least 500,000 people were killed after the coup. Suharto’s national hero title was bestowed on him today despite protests last week by pro-democracy groups and families affected by his harsh rule.