Presidential Palace: Try Sutrisno was Among Indonesia's Finest Sons

The Presidential Palace expressed condolences following the death of former Vice President Try Sutrisno. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the retired general had made substantial contributions to Indonesia.

“He was one of Indonesia’s finest sons who dedicated and devoted his entire life to the nation and state,” Prasetyo said via voice message on Monday, 2 March 2026.

Prasetyo urged the public to pray for the man who served during the tenure of former president Suharto. “Let us offer prayers so that he is forgiven for all his sins and his deeds are accepted, especially as he has been called before Allah the Almighty in the holy month of Ramadan,” said the Gerindra Party politician.

He stated that Try was also a role model for the younger generation as heirs to the nation. “Let us, the younger generation and heirs of the nation, emulate what he has shown us in providing the best service to the nation, state, and the Indonesian people,” he said.

The late Try Sutrisno breathed his last at the Central Military Hospital (RSPAD) Gatot Soebroto in Jakarta on 2 March 2026 at approximately 06:58 WIB. His body was to be washed at RSPAD and then transported to the funeral home at Jalan Purwakarta Number 6, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Try Sutrisno was the Vice President who accompanied President Suharto during his leadership from 1993 to 1998. This sixth Vice President was born in Surabaya, East Java, on 15 November 1935.

According to the TNI Information Centre, Try began his military career as a cadet at the Army Engineering Academy (Atekad).

Try was involved in the Operation to Liberate West Irian in 1962, which led him to meet Suharto. At that time, Suharto was appointed by Sukarno as Commander of the Mandala Command, stationed in Sulawesi.

According to tni.mil.id, in 1974 Try was selected as adjutant to President Suharto, which boosted his career. In August 1985, Try was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army. Less than a year later, in June 1986, Try Sutrisno was entrusted with the position of Chief of Staff of the Army.

He held the position of Army Chief of Staff for only about a year and a half, as in early 1988 he was promoted to Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, replacing General LB Moerdani.

Try Sutrisno was then appointed Vice President to accompany Suharto through the General Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in 1993.