Jakarta, May 1 -- The Indonesian government may grant national hero status to the late second president of Indonesia, Soeharto, this year, according to Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf.

"All requirements to declare Mr. Soeharto a national hero have been met," Yusuf told reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (April 30).

He explained that official proposals to recognize Soeharto, who led Indonesia for over three decades, as a national hero were earlier submitted in 2010 and 2015, but both attempts failed due to legislative obstacles.

He affirmed that with that hurdle now resolved, the second president is more likely to be conferred the national hero title.

In addition to Soeharto, the Central Tit...