The contrasting legacies of two Southeast Asian strongmen, Soeharto and Rodrigo Duterte, offer a stark reminder of the region's complex relationship with authoritarian rule. While Soeharto, once a feared dictator, is being canonized as a national hero in Indonesia, Duterte, known for his brutal 'war on drugs', faces trial in The Hague. This divergence in their legacies highlights the region's struggle with historical accountability and the potential for strongmen to be either revered or condemned based on their political utility. Indonesia's decision to elevate Soeharto, despite his notorious human rights record, raises questions about the sanitization of history and the potential for a new generation to embrace a myth of benevolent authoritarianism. In contrast, the Philippines' move to hold Duterte accountable showcases a more cautious approach, where the language of justice is used as a tool in the political arena. The article concludes by emphasizing the region's evolving stance on strongmen, where the past and present are in a constant tug-of-war, and the choices made by governments have significant implications for the future of Southeast Asia.
