Former Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu Dies at 76, Served Under Megawati and Jokowi

Former Defence Minister (Menhan) from 2014 to 2019, Ryamizard Ryacudu, has died at the age of 76 on Sunday (31/5) afternoon. He passed away at 2:03 PM WIB while receiving treatment at the Gatot Subroto Army Central Hospital. The news was confirmed by the Defence Ministry’s Information Bureau Chief, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait. “We have received news of the passing of General (Retired) Ryamizard Ryacudu today, Sunday, 31 May 2026 at 2:03 PM WIB at RSPAD,” Rico stated when confirmed. Born in Palembang, South Sumatra, on 21 April 1950, he concluded his military service as Chief of Staff of the Army (KSAD) during the presidency of Indonesia’s fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri. He was also the son-in-law of Indonesia’s sixth vice president, Try Sutrisno. His father, Major General TNI Musanif Ryacudu, was a senior army officer known for his close ties to Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno. During President Joko Widodo’s seventh term, Ryamizard was appointed as Defence Minister for his first term. At the time, Jokowi described him as a thoughtful and democratic military figure. A 1973 graduate of the Army Military Academy (AKABRI), he gained widespread recognition as commander of Garuda Contingent XII in Cambodia during the 1990s while holding the rank of colonel. From Cambodia, Ryamizard went on to command the 17th Infantry Brigade of Kostrad, then served as Assistant to the Commander of Kodam VII/Wirabuana, Chief of Staff of Division 2/Kostrad, Commander of Kodam II/Sriwijaya, Commander of Division 2/Kostrad, Chief of Staff of Kostrad, Commander of Kodam V/Brawijaya (1999), Commander of Jakarta Military Command (1999-2000), and Commander of Kostrad (August 2000-2002).