Indonesia has named former president Suharto a national hero, even as his controversial legacy as a dictator has sparked heated protests against the move, BBC reported.

During Suharto's New Order regime in the 1960s to 1990s, Indonesia saw an era of rapid economic growth but also violent political repression. Hundreds of thousands of political dissenters were estimated to have been killed during that period.

The national hero award is an annual affair, meant to honour individuals for their contributions to the country, according to BBC.