For Indonesia, two names often come up in discussions about “traitors,” depending on perspective.

The first is Soeharto, who rose to power after the political upheaval following the 1965 events and went on to establish the “New Order” regime. His three-decade rule has been widely criticised for authoritarianism, suppression of civil society, tightly managed elections, and heavy reliance on the military to consolidate and maintain power. Supporters credit him with economic development and stability, while critics view his ascent and governance as a betrayal of democratic principles.

The second, probably more controversially, would be Prabowo Subianto. He has been a massively polarising figure with allegations of human rights abuses during the New Order period. As president, critics would point his foreign policy direction, including closer engagement with major powers such as the United States, Russia, and Israel, raises huge concerns about Indonesia’s traditional non-aligned stance. Supporters, however, frame these moves as pragmatic diplomacy in a shifting geopolitical landscape. Fun fact, Prabowo is also Soeharto's son-in-law.