Wiranto

In this Indonesian name, there is no family name nor a patronymic.
General (Ret.)
Wiranto
Official portrait, 2019
5th Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
13 December 2019
PresidentJoko Widodo
Preceded bySri Adiningsih
6th Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs
In office
27 July 2016 – 20 October 2019
PresidentJoko Widodo
Preceded byLuhut Binsar Panjaitan
Succeeded byMahfud MD
In office
26 October 1999 – 15 February 2000
PresidentAbdurrahman Wahid
Preceded byFeisal Tanjung
Succeeded bySoerjadi Soedirdja
1st General Chairman of the People's Conscience Party
In office
21 December 2006 – 21 December 2016
Preceded byNew political party
Succeeded byOesman Sapta Odang
19th Minister of Defense and Security
In office
14 March 1998 – 20 October 1999
President
Preceded byEdi Sudradjat [id]
Succeeded byJuwono Sudarsono
Military offices
12th Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces
In office
16 February 1998 – 26 October 1999
President
  • Suharto
  • B. J. Habibie
Preceded byGeneral Feisal Tanjung
Succeeded byAdmiral Widodo Adi Sutjipto
19th Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army
In office
7 June 1997 – 16 February 1998
PresidentSuharto
Preceded byGeneral Hartono
Succeeded byGeneral Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo [id]
20th Commander of Kostrad
In office
4 April 1996 – 20 June 1997
PresidentSuharto
Preceded byMaj. Gen. Tarub [id]
Succeeded byLt. Gen. Sugiono [id]
Personal details
Born (1947-04-04) 4 April 1947 (age 77)
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations
Spouse
Rugaiya Usman
​
(m. 1975)​
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Politician
  • army officer
WebsiteArchived website
Military service
AllegianceIndonesia
Branch/serviceIndonesian Army
Years of service1968–1999
RankGeneral
UnitInfantry
Commands
Battles/warsOperation Lotus
Service no.22166

Wiranto (born 4 April 1947) is an Indonesian politician and retired army general, who is serving as the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council, since December 2019. Previously, he was the Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces from February 1998 to October 1999 during Indonesia's transition from authoritarian rule to democracy, he ran unsuccessfully for President of Indonesia in 2004 and for the vice-presidency in 2009. On 27 July 2016, Wiranto was appointed Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, replacing Luhut Binsar Panjaitan.[1][2]

Wiranto played a significant role in facilitating severe human rights violations by the Indonesian army and Jakarta-backed militias, during Indonesia's withdrawal from the occupied territory of East Timor in 1999. Both the United Nations and domestic groups have gathered evidence on this, but he continues to deny the charges. In January 2000, an Indonesian commission placed general responsibility for these injustices on Wiranto.[3] In May 2004, the United Nations-backed Special Panels of the Dili District Court indicted Wiranto and charged him with war crimes.[4] Wiranto claimed the move was an effort to discredit his political ambitions.[5]

Some claim that Wiranto played a key role as a moderating influence during the turbulent times of 1998 when Suharto resigned. He had the power to impose military rule, but refused to do so, thereby allowing the civilian process to develop.[6] Taufik Darusman labeled him a "military reformist" because Wiranto reduced the military's role in Indonesian politics. He initiated the reduction of their seats in parliament and separated the police from the military.[7] Nonetheless, more than 2,000 East Timorese were killed in violence under his watch, as well as 500,000 forced into displacement.[8] The security forces of Indonesia also perpetrated the Biak massacre in July 1998 , when Wiranto was the Minister of Defense of Indonesia.[9]

  1. ^ "Wiranto named Indonesia's top security minister". aljazeera.com. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  2. ^ Amindoni, Ayomi (27 July 2016). "Wiranto replaces Luhut as security minister". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  3. ^ Nunan, Patricia (31 January 2000). "Summary of Indonesian Human-Rights". Globalpolicy.org. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Indonesia: Indicted General Unfit for Presidential Bid". Human Rights Watch. 22 April 2004. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  5. ^ Aglionby, John (11 May 2004). "UN issues warrant for Indonesian general". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  6. ^ Harsono, Andreas; Lobe, Jim (27 April 2004). "Indonesia: Ex-generals ready for election battle". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 3 May 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ Yamin, Kafil (30 August 2003). "Indonesia's Wiranto: Reform as a military duty". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 30 August 2003. Retrieved 7 May 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "Ad-Hoc Court for East Timor". Global Policy Forum. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  9. ^ "The Biak massacre citizens tribunal".