Despite strong opposition from human rights activists, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has officially appointed former Army chief of staff Ryamizard Ryacudu as defense minister.
Ryamizard, who graduated from the Indonesian Armed Forces Academy (AKABRI) in 1974.
He was the commander of the Army’s Strategic Command (Kostrad) in 2000-2002 before assuming the top job as Army chief of staff in 2002-2004. It was during his tenure as the Army chief of staff that then president Megawati Soekarnoputri ordered a military operation against Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels.Named Operasi Terpadu (Operation Integrated), the operation started on April 28, 2003, with Megawati declaring martial law in Aceh. The status was then lowered to a civil emergency in May 2004.
Considered a professional soldier during his military career, Ryamizard was credited for the creation of the Raider infantry battalions in December 2003. Previously in 2001, he also created Combat Reconnaissance Platoons (Tontaipur), which fall under Kostrad’s authority.
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