Gatot Nurmantyo Recalls Ryamizard Ryacudu's Vision During Aceh Tsunami Response

JAKARTA – Retired General Gatot Nurmantyo recalled his experience working with retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu during the Aceh tsunami emergency.

Gatot described the late Ryamizard as a courageous figure with a vision that went beyond conventional thinking, especially during the tsunami response.

“It was he who ordered the Army to build a road from Banda Aceh, Lamno, Calang, to Teunom. From Banda Aceh to Teunom, which was deemed impossible. It was impossible because from Banda Aceh to Lamno was possible, but Lamno to Calang was severed everywhere. And from Calang to Teunom, especially Meulaboh, it was impossible. But he insisted it had to be done,” Gatot said during a condolence visit to Ryamizard’s residence in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, on Sunday, 31 May 2026.

“His thinking was beyond my comprehension at the time, but his vision was proven correct, as history shows,” he added.

Other former commanders present included retired General Gatot Nurmantyo and retired Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.