Less than a week after the death of former President Suharto, whose 32-year rule was marred by human rights abuses and widespread corruption, Indonesia is debating whether he should be declared a national hero. Suharto, who ruled Indonesia with an iron fist before being ousted in 1998 amid political and economic chaos, died after on Sunday at the age of 86 of multiple organ failure. Indonesians are divided over his legacy.

Many credit the former army general for pulling millions of Indonesians out of abject poverty, while many others blame him for a culture of corruption that bedevils the nation til today and for parcelling out monopolistic business licenses to his family and friends.

Supporters, including members of Indonesia?s largest political party Golkar, have called on the government to declare Suharto a national hero for his contributions to the nation, while opponents say he does not deserve such an accolade. ?Pak Harto?s life is an open book,? said Slamet Effendi Yusuf, a legislator from Golkar, referring to Suharto by his popular name.

The debate is reminiscent of one about Indonesia?s first president Sukarno, who was also officially disgraced when forced out of office amid political and economic chaos in 1966. He was later bestowed national hero status in the 1980s after remaining popular.