Prabowo Subianto There is an adage that says a true teacher should be proud to see his disciple surpass him. A true teacher will ensure that his students and his men are more successful than him. A true teacher will not hesitate to guide his students to realize their full potential and reach the highest rank in the interests of the nation and country.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL TNI (RET.) KEMAL IDRIS
I was 17 years old when I returned to Indonesia from Europe. Back then, Pak Kemal Idris was already a very famous TNI figure. At that time, he was known as one of the key figures of the New Order (Orde Baru) regime at the beginning of President Suharto’s administration. Pak Kemal Idris was also a friend of my uncle Subianto, who died in the Battle of Lengkong. When I met him, Pak Kemal Idris told me: ‘I am your uncle’s best friend. Your uncle was a very brave man. If your uncle were still alive today, I’m sure he would be the Chief of Army Reserve Command (Pangkostrad). You should follow in your uncle’s footsteps, Subianto. He was a hero.’ I remembered his words.
After I learned more about Pak Kemal Idris’ life history, I understood he was a very patriotic, brave, straight, and open person. Kemal Idris’ battalion was the first TNI battalion to enter the capital after the Dutch ceded sovereignty to Indonesia.
At that time, Pak Kemal Idris was a Major, so he was very famous. It was a tradition for the TNI battalion to be named after illustrious commanders, and there was the Kemal Idris Battalion, the Ahmad Yani Battalion, the Poniman Battalion, etc. Pak Kemal Idris was known for his bravery, pro-people stance, and staunch nationalism. He was a vocal critic of corruption, even challenging his superiors at times. Despite being seen as a “naughty boy” by some seniors, he was always protected and forgiven because of his courage and leadership abilities.
Kemal Idris fought against rebels during the 1950s and 1965. After the 1965 G30S/PKI rebellion, he became a trusted confidant of President Suharto in the Army Strategic Reserves Command (KOSTRAD) as its Deputy Chief of Staff. Eventually, he replaced President Suharto as Pangkostrad.
Pak Kemal Idris was known for his open, welcoming, and humorous attitude. He was always honest and stood up for the underprivileged. Despite his strengths, he was also known for being emotional and sometimes making hasty decisions.
He often gave me advice and shared his wisdom, which I greatly appreciated. Before his passing, he whispered to me to keep on fighting and take care of the Republic. His words were a poignant reminder of his dedication to the nation.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL TNI (RET.) HARTONO REKSO DHARSONO
During the New Order era, Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) H. R. Dharsono, known as Pak Ton, was a powerful confidant of President Suharto. He was known for daring to correct and criticize President Suharto in his efforts to democratize Indonesia. He opposed the authoritarian regime and was popular among the people, students, and soldiers. Pak Ton was close to my family and was a friend of my uncle and my father.
Pak Ton had a successful career in the TNI, particularly in Kodam Siliwangi. He stood out as a battalion commander during operations to suppress rebellions and later became the Commander of Kodam Siliwangi. He was admired by many for his bravery and dedication to the unity between the TNI and the people.
Despite his popularity, Pak Ton faced challenges for his criticisms and opposition to the authoritarian regime. He was even accused of supporting acts of terror and briefly imprisoned. I visited him during his time in prison and continued to support him throughout his struggles.
Pak Ton’s courage and commitment to democracy are qualities that I admire and strive to emulate in my own leadership. His dedication to the people of Indonesia and his willingness to stand up against injustice are lessons that continue to inspire me to this day.
