Jimly recalls former Defence Minister Ryamizard as professional and no-nonsense
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Jimly Asshiddiqie recalled former Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu as a professional in his duties.
Jimly stated that he worked with Ryamizard at the Council of Titles, Honours, and Decorations for five years.
“I have known the late man for a long time, so I want to be a witness before Allah that he was a good person, worked professionally, and was straightforward – very good. In fact, I worked in the same environment at the Council of Titles and Honours, where he was the chairman as Defence Minister and I was the vice-chairman. That was for five years,” Jimly said during an interview at Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery, Jakarta, on Monday (1/6/2026).
He added that although the 2002 constitutional amendments did not succeed through the Constitutional Commission, Ryamizard was someone who could be discussed regarding reform aspects.
“Specifically, Mr Ryamizard, although a professional military officer, understood all aspects of TNI reform. These were the aspirations and demands of the reform,” he said.
Previously, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin led the burial ceremony for Ryamizard Ryacudu at Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery, South Jakarta, on Monday (1/6/2026).
“I, as the Defence Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, on behalf of the nation, the people, and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), hereby present the soul, body, and services of the late to Mother Earth,” Sjafrie said while leading the Apel Persada ceremony at Kalibata.
The funeral was attended by several prominent figures, including TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Special Forces Commander (Pangkopassus) Lieutenant General Djon Afriandi, Infantry Centre Commander (Danpussenif) of the Army, Lieutenant General Iwan Setiawan, Commander of Joint Region Defence Command I (Pangkogabwilhan I) Lieutenant General Kunto Arief Wibowo, Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Deputy Minister of the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Wamenko Polkam) Lieutenant General (Retired) Lodewijk F Paulus, and former Constitutional Court Chief Justice (2003-2008) Jimly Asshiddiqie.
It is known that Ryamizard Ryacudu passed away at RSPAD Gatot Soebroto Hospital in Jakarta on Sunday (31/5/2026) at 2:03 PM WIB.
Ryamizard graduated from the Military Academy (Akmil) in 1974 from the infantry branch.
The four-star retired officer served as Defence Minister during the first term of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) from 2014 to 2019.
Before becoming Defence Minister, Ryamizard’s last position in the TNI was Chief of Staff of the Army (KSAD), which he held for three years from 2002 to 2005.