Try Sutrisno Passes Away; Didik J. Rachbini: Indonesia Loses Another Statesman

Jakarta – Paramadina University Rector Didik J. Rachbini held special memories of Try Sutrisno. The sixth Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia passed away at RSPAD Gatot Soebroto Hospital in Central Jakarta on Monday morning, 2 March 2026.

“We have lost another statesman, one who in his later years continued to sow the spirit of nationalism and even engaged in open criticism,” said Didik, as quoted from notes received by CNBC Indonesia.

He revealed that whilst they were not close friends, whenever they met, Pak Try would pat his back as though they were longtime acquaintances. According to Didik, this occurred repeatedly in various forums.

“He always greeted me with a smile. My suspicion is that he listened to young people’s criticism in the public sphere through the mass media in the 1990s, which is why he noticed those who frequently appeared publicly expressing ideas,” he said.

“Perhaps I was one he remembered, and when we met directly, we would greet each other as if we were close friends. This is also why I have always paid attention to the ideas he put forward in public, both during the New Order and the Reformation era,” he continued.

Last year, according to Didik, Pak Try remained healthy and clear-minded, still delivering passionate speeches before the public. In his remarks at the Pancasila Ideology Development Board event commemorating 80 Years of Grounding Pancasila and launching Pancasila Virtual Expo 2025 at the University of Indonesia on 21 July 2025, Pak Try stated that Indonesian national life currently had a liberal character that eroded morality and ethics in line with Pancasila.

“The democracy being practised is leading towards Westernisation as a result of four amendments to the 1945 Constitution, fundamentally changing the nation’s life. In my view, Pak Try’s criticism must be considered because Indonesia’s face has become liberally capitalistic and increasingly distant from the ethics, morality and philosophical foundations of Pancasila,” said Didik.

The Commissioner of PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. stated that the younger generation no longer knew their nation’s basic philosophy. Pancasila had faded and was no longer the foundation of Law No. 1 of 1945 concerning the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. This fact clearly shows inconsistency and incoherence with the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution.

According to Pak Try, said Didik, “The implementation of democracy is extremely liberal, even more liberal than the system prevailing in the United States.” The sudden amendments to the 1945 Constitution, even without deep study and reflection, have proven to have many weaknesses after being implemented over the last two decades. Thus, Pak Try hoped there would be an evaluation and review of the constitutional system referring to the amended 1945 Constitution.

What was regrettable, according to Didik, was the loss of the nation’s consultation pillar in our constitutional system—the disappearance of the MPR as the embodiment of the highest state institution. Now, within the liberal system, there is no longer an MPR functioning as the highest state institution creating the GBHN (consultation of all elements of the nation), so Indonesian people are no longer the determinants of the direction of policy and the life of the Indonesian state.

“Now political directions are made by political parties whose life rhythm is only short-term, aiming to win every five years. I believe this criticism from a senior statesman needs to be reflected upon as important discourse in state life,” said Didik.

“In my view, there are no longer statesmen leaders and thinkers like Bung Karno, Hatta, Sjahrir and their peers. What exists are rent-seekers, traders conducting short-term transactions, or inexperienced individuals forced into leadership whilst damaging constitutional pillars,” he continued.

Furthermore, Didik assessed that Pak Try carefully observed the journey and implementation of Reformation. Going forward, Reformation cannot be based on liberal principles, which are inconsistent with Indonesia’s basic values.

“He emphasised that Reformation should be rooted in the values of Indonesian identity, not merely changes influenced by waves of external liberalisation. The spirit of Reformation is not Westernisation and must not be merely rhetoric about freedom, but must strengthen national integrity and Pancasila values,” said Didik.

Thus, continued Didik, the practice of democracy should not weaken Pancasila’s moral, ethical and philosophical values. In Pak Try’s view, democracy was merely a means to achieve independence and not the ultimate purpose of state life.

“For a great nation like Indonesia, evaluation and review of the practice of democracy and national life are very necessary so that they align with Indonesia’s basic values and character. With such a liberal system, it cannot be expected to produce good leadership for the nation because everything becomes transactional for short-term interests,” said Didik.