Indonesian, general, war hero and former minister of defense and security. He was a military hero who led the invasions of West Papua in 1962 and East Timor in 1975. Murdani was from the Central Javanese town of Solo; entered military service after Indonesia's 1945-49 war of independence against the Dutch; joined the army's elite parachute battalion and was closely associated with the red-bereted commandos, Kopassus, who were blamed for numerous human rights atrocities throughout Indonesia. Murdani became a trusted member of Suharto's inner circle; appointed commander in chief of the armed forces in 1983. Broke with Suharto in late 1980s over growing corruption in the dictator's family. Removed as the military chief in 1988, but remained as minister of defense and security until 1993. After that, grew close to Sukarno's daughter, Megawati Sukarnoputri, who was elected president in Indonesia's first free elections in 1999 and helped her defuse fears among the top brass that she would place the military under civilian control. Died in Jakarta from complications after a stroke.
Indonesian, general, war hero and former minister of defense and security. He was a military hero who led the invasions of West Papua in 1962 and East Timor in 1975. Murdani was from the Central Javanese town of Solo; entered military service after Indonesia's 1945-49 war of independence against the Dutch; joined the army's elite parachute battalion and was closely associated with the red-bereted commandos, Kopassus, who were blamed for numerous human rights atrocities throughout Indonesia. Murdani became a trusted member of Suharto's inner circle; appointed commander in chief of the armed forces in 1983. Broke with Suharto in late 1980s over growing corruption in the dictator's family. Removed as the military chief in 1988, but remained as minister of defense and security until 1993. After that, grew close to Sukarno's daughter, Megawati Sukarnoputri, who was elected president in Indonesia's first free elections in 1999 and helped her defuse fears among the top brass that she would place the military under civilian control. Died in Jakarta from complications after a stroke.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
Advertisement
