Former Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono Passes Away After Four-Year Battle with Stroke

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Indonesian Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono passed away on Saturday (28/3/2026). In the last four years, he had been battling a stroke.

“His illness has actually been ongoing for four years. He suffered his fourth stroke,” said Vishnu Juwono, Juwono Sudarsono’s eldest son, quoted from Kompas TV on Sunday (29/3/2026).

During his lifetime, Juwono was known as an academic in the field of international relations as well as a long-serving figure in government. He once held positions as Minister of Environment, Minister of Education and Culture, and Minister of Defence.

The family hopes that Juwono’s contributions and values can serve as inspiration, especially for the younger generation.

The family also hopes that Juwono’s former students and colleagues can continue his spirit of dedication, particularly in the fields of international relations and defence.

Juwono passed away at Pondok Indah Hospital, South Jakarta, around 1.45pm WIB. The news of his passing was confirmed by the Head of Defence Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defence Secretariat, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait.

The body is planned to lie in state at the Quiet Room of the Ministry of Defence, Jakarta, on Sunday (29/3/2026) at 7.30am WIB. The farewell ceremony will be held at the Bela Negara Field of the Ministry of Defence and led by the Deputy Minister of Defence.

After that, Juwono will be buried at Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery, South Jakarta, with a ceremony led by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.