Former Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu Passes Away

The Defence Minister from 2014 to 2019, Ryamizard Ryacudu, passed away at the age of 76 on Sunday afternoon, 31 May 2026. The retired Indonesian National Armed Forces general breathed his last at the Army Central Hospital (RSPAD Gatot Subroto) in Jakarta.

The news was confirmed by the Defence Ministry’s Information Bureau Chief, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait. “We received information that retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu passed away on Sunday, 31 May 2026 at 14:03,” he stated.

The body of the former Army Chief of Staff will be laid out at his residence in Puri Wira Bhakti 1/1b Cikeas, Bogor. “It will be laid out this afternoon,” said Rico.

Ryamizard Ryacudu graduated from the Indonesian National Military Academy for the land forces in 1974 and held several strategic positions within the TNI. In 1999, he was appointed Commander of the V/Brawijaya Military Regional Command. Shortly after, he was transferred to the Jakarta Military Regional Command until 2000 as its Commander.

His career advanced when he was appointed Commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command from 2000 to 2002, followed by serving as Chief of Staff of the Army until 2005. He continued his career in government after being appointed Defence Minister during President Joko Widodo’s first term. During his tenure at the Ministry of Defence, he initiated the “Bela Negara” programme.