Indonesia added former president Suharto to a list of "national heroes" during a ceremony on Monday, despite objections from activists and academics over the deceased military dictator's human rights record.

In a decree read by the presidential military secretary, Suharto was named among the 10 people to be added to the country's catalogue of national heroes.

President Prabowo Subianto, Suharto's former son-in-law, presided over the National Hero Day ceremony.