Profile of Try Sutrisno, Indonesia's 6th Vice President, Who Passed Away Today
News of sorrow has once again descended upon the Indonesian nation following the death of Indonesia’s 6th Vice President, Try Sutrisno. The following is a brief profile of Try Sutrisno, who served as Vice President in the government of President Suharto.
News of Try Sutrisno’s death emerged on Monday, 2 March 2026. Try Sutrisno is reported to have died at the age of 90 following treatment at RSPAD Gatot Subroto military hospital. This was confirmed by the Minister of State Secretariat, Prasetyo Hadi.
“We express our deepest condolences. I have asked RSPAD, the garrison under the State Secretariat, to provide the best care,” explained State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi in his statement.
As a figure who once held strategic positions within the government, the name Try Sutrisno may not be unfamiliar to some members of the public. Particularly for those who experienced the leadership of President Suharto, who was accompanied by Vice President Try Sutrisno in the past.
Try Sutrisno was Indonesia’s 6th Vice President, serving from 1993 to 1998 alongside Suharto. He was born in Surabaya on 15 November 1935 with a strong military background. A graduate of the Military Academy of the Land Forces (Atekad), Sutrisno had a brilliant military career, including involvement in operations against Darul Islam/Indonesian Islamic Army (DI/TII), the liberation of West Irian, the handling of the 30 September Movement (G30S), and serving as Commander of the Armed Forces (Panglima ABRI) before being elected Vice President through the 1993 General Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly.
Who Was Try Sutrisno?
As briefly explained previously, Try Sutrisno was Indonesia’s 6th Vice President. According to the ‘Guide Book of the Presidential Museum of the Republic of Indonesia’ published by the Presidential Museum RI Balai Kirti, Try Sutrisno’s name is listed among the Vice Presidents who accompanied the administration of President Suharto.
At that time, President Suharto led from 1967 to 1998. During his entire tenure, President Suharto had six different Vice Presidents, one of whom was Try Sutrisno. Try Sutrisno’s term as Vice President to President Suharto lasted from 1993 to 1998.
According to the book ‘General and Student Encyclopedia’ by Gamal Komandoko, Try Sutrisno was born in Surabaya on 15 November 1935. Before achieving the position of Vice President for Indonesia, Try Sutrisno was known to have pursued a career in the military.
In fact, Try Sutrisno’s military career was brilliant, as he eventually was trusted to serve as an aide to President Suharto. Not only that, Try Sutrisno also held the position of Commander of the Armed Forces (Panglima ABRI) of Indonesia. This made Try Sutrisno no ordinary figure in both military and government circles.
Try Sutrisno’s Career Path
Before entering the political arena, Try Sutrisno began his career in the military. Try Sutrisno is recorded as a graduate of the Military Academy of the Land Forces (Atekad). As a member of the Land Forces, Try Sutrisno contributed to maintaining the integrity of the nation.
His involvement included defending the Republic of Indonesia from the rebellion of the Darul Islam/Indonesian Islamic Army (DI/TII) in 1957, which occurred in Aceh. Try Sutrisno also participated in the mission to liberate West Irian in 1962. He also played a role in maintaining national security during the 30 September Movement (G30S) uprising in 1965.
According to the ‘Smart Book: Senior Series’ by HM Iwan Gayo, Try Sutrisno was trusted to serve as an aide to President Suharto from 1974 to 1978. Then in 1982, he was appointed as Regional Military Commander V/Jaya (Pangdam V/Jaya). A few years later, in 1988, Try Sutrisno took on another strategic military position as Commander of the Armed Forces (Panglima ABRI).
The pinnacle of Try Sutrisno’s career came when he was successfully elected to the Fourth Development Cabinet as Vice President. Try Sutrisno’s success in becoming Vice President was not unrelated to manoeuvres within political circles.
Before becoming Vice President, Try Sutrisno preceded other factions in announcing his candidacy for Vice President. After his name was announced as a Vice Presidential candidate, he received support from ABRI’s Deputy Commander for Social and Political Affairs, Lieutenant General Harsudiono Hartas, and the ABRI faction itself. It was therefore no surprise that Try Sutrisno outpaced B.J. Habibie, who at the time was also being touted as a potential Vice President.
Based on the 1993 General Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly, Try Sutrisno was officially appointed as Vice President to accompany President Suharto. His term ended in 1998 and was succeeded by B.J. Habibie.
After completing his duties as Vice President, Try Sutrisno continued to demonstrate his political engagement. As explained in a book by AD Hartanto titled ‘Quick Learning…!!! RPUL SD’, after Suharto stepped down as President of Indonesia in 1998, new regulations were introduced allowing the formation of political parties for the 1999 general election.
During this period, Try Sutrisno became actively involved in the leadership of the Justice and Unity Party. In 2004, the party’s name changed to the Justice and Unity Party of Indonesia (PKP Indonesia).