Defence Minister: Ryamizard Ryacudu was a soldier who never sought personal gain

JAKARTA (ANTARA) - Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin remembered retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu as a soldier who never sought personal gain during his service.

Sjafrie, speaking after Ryamizard’s funeral at the National Heroes Cemetery in Kalibata, Jakarta, on Monday, said the former Defence Minister, who served from 2014 to 2019, was a role model for other soldiers.

“We have just laid to rest a soldier who never sought personal gain. He served on the frontlines from junior rank until retirement, setting an example for his troops and opposing all illegal actions,” Sjafrie said.

According to him, Ryamizard’s dedication and spirit of service remained unchanged from his military days until his death. Therefore, the nation rightly honours his legacy.

Sjafrie also shared his memories of the late general.

“His special memory was that when a mission succeeds, it’s the soldiers who deserve credit, not the commander. But if it fails, the commander takes responsibility. When it succeeds, the soldiers’ role is to support that success,” he said.

Before burial, the late general’s body was laid to rest in front of the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Hall at the Indonesian Defence Ministry in Jakarta on Monday morning.

The funeral service was attended by President Prabowo Subianto. The head of state stood briefly before the coffin and prayed as a mark of respect for the late general’s service to the nation.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka also paid his respects at the funeral before the coffin was taken to the National Heroes Cemetery in Kalibata.

Retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu died at Gatot Soebroto Army Central Hospital in Jakarta on Sunday (31 May) at 2:03 PM WIB after treatment in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU).

Ryamizard was a senior retired Army officer who served as Army Chief of Staff from 2002 to 2005. During President Joko Widodo’s administration, he was appointed Defence Minister from 2014 to 2019.