Ryamizard Remembered: General Who Rose from Battlefield to Cabinet

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — The late Ryamizard Ryacudu was a general who rose from the battlefield to serve in government. The former Defence Minister passed away at the age of 76 on Sunday, 31 May 2026. His passing has left deep sorrow, with soldiers and officials describing him as a firm yet humble leader. Ryamizard was deployed to operational areas from the start of his career, from second lieutenant to colonel. He was also sent to remote Kalimantan to suppress communist remnants of the North Kalimantan People’s Force (Paraku), also known as the Sarawak People’s Guerrilla Force (PGRS). He participated in the PGRS/Paraku Suppression Operation in 1978 and served in Operation Kala (PGRS) in 1981 as a Platoon Commander. From 1982 to 1983, he was involved in Operation Kemudi I and II Malindo. Ryamizard also undertook military operations in Aceh and personally led aid efforts after the Aceh tsunami. Throughout his combat missions, he sustained numerous injuries. This former Army Strategic Command chief also assisted UN peacekeeping missions, serving as Commander of Garuda Contingent XII-B in 1992, entrusted by UN forces to help with the bloody conflict in Cambodia.