Hundreds of floral tributes line road to Ryamizard's residence

Hundreds of floral tributes lined the road leading to the late Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu’s residence in Puri Wira Bhakti housing estate, Cikeas, Gunungputri District, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Sunday.

On-site observations showed floral arrangements from various sectors filling the roadside from the housing complex gate up to the vicinity of the deceased’s home. Family members, military figures, and government officials continued to arrive to pay their final respects.

The late Ryamizard’s body had been at the residence since around 5 PM WIB and was laid out at his Cikeas home. TNI personnel armed with rifles stood guard around the residence to secure the mourning and funeral proceedings.

Among those present were former TNI Commander Gatot Nurmantyo and Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman.

Dudung stated he had a close relationship with the late minister since their active service in the Army. He described Ryamizard as a leader who provided significant guidance during his tenure in Aceh.

‘He was the Army Chief of Staff at the time, and I was Battalion Commander. He directed and led us during operations in Aceh,’ Dudung said at the residence.

Ryamizard, a retired senior Army officer, served as Army Chief of Staff from 2002 to 2005. During President Joko Widodo’s presidency, he was appointed Defence Minister from 2014 to 2019.