Profile and Career Journey of Try Sutrisno, from Humble Beginnings to Sixth Vice President of Indonesia

Former sixth Vice President of Indonesia General (Retired) Try Sutrisno passed away on 2 March 2026 at approximately 06:58 WIB at RSPAD Gatot Subroto hospital. The news was confirmed by former RSPAD commander Major General (Retired) Albertus Budi Sulistya.

The deceased’s body was washed at the RSPAD funeral home before being taken to his residence on Jalan Purwakarta No. 6, Menteng, Central Jakarta. The family requested prayers and forgiveness for any wrongs committed during his lifetime.

The passing of Indonesia’s sixth Vice President represents a significant loss not only to his family but to the nation. Sutrisno was an important figure during Indonesia’s New Order era.

Sutrisno was born on 15 November 1935 in Surabaya, East Java, to Subandi, an ambulance driver at the Surabaya City Health Service, and Mardiyah. He developed an interest in military service from age 13, initially seeking to join the Poncowati Battalion to fight against occupying forces, though initially working as a courier instead. In this role, he was tasked with gathering intelligence from areas occupied by Dutch forces and obtaining medicine for the Indonesian Armed Forces.

His military career began with involvement in suppressing the PRRI rebellion in 1957. Two years later, in 1959, he completed his military education upon graduation from ATEKAD (Army Technical Academy).

In 1974, Sutrisno was selected as President Soeharto’s aide-de-camp. Soeharto took a liking to Sutrisno, and from that point his military career advanced rapidly.

In 1978, he was appointed Chief of Staff at KODAM XVI/Udayana. A year later, he became Commander of KODAM IV/Sriwijaya. In 1982, Sutrisno was appointed Commander of KODAM V/Jaya and stationed in Jakarta. His career continued its upward trajectory. In 1985, he became Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, before becoming Chief of Staff of the Army (KSAD) in 1986.