Defence Minister Sjafrie Leads Military Funeral Ceremony for Juwono Sudarsono at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin led the military funeral ceremony for former Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono at the Main National Heroes Cemetery in Kalibata, Jakarta, on Sunday. Sjafrie acted as the inspecting officer and led the Apel Persada as a final act of national homage to the deceased.
“I, as the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, on behalf of the state, the nation, and the Indonesian National Armed Forces, hereby commit the body and services of the late to Mother Earth,” said Sjafrie while leading the Apel Persada at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, as reported by Antara on Sunday (29/3/2026).
He stated that the late Prof Dr Juwono Sudarsono served as Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia during 1999-2000 and 2004-2009. Sjafrie expressed hope that the dedication undertaken by the late could serve as an example for all the nation’s children.
“May the path of devoted service he followed become an example for us all, and may his soul find the best place by the side of the Almighty God,” he said.
It is known that Juwono Sudarsono passed away on Saturday (28/3) at 13:45 WIB in Jakarta. Juwono was buried with military honours, including a final tribute procession at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.
The homage ceremony for the late was conducted solemnly, attended by family, relatives, and several officials and national figures, including the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Deputy Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono. Also present were the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Chairman of the Police Reform Acceleration Commission Jimly Asshiddiqie, and Deputy Minister of Environment Diaz Hendropriyono.
During his lifetime, Juwono held various positions, including Minister of State for the Environment in the VII Development Cabinet under President Soeharto (1998), Minister of Education and Culture in the Reform Cabinet under President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie (May 1998-October 1999), and Minister of Defence in the National Unity Cabinet under President Abdurrahman Wahid (October 1999-August 2000).
He later served again as Minister of Defence in the United Indonesia Cabinet under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (21 October 2004-20 October 2009). Juwono was also known to have held the position of Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Kingdom under President Megawati Soekarnoputri (12 June 2003-October 2004).