Former Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu is set to be laid to rest with full military honors at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta on Monday, June 1, 2026. The announcement was made by the Head of the Defense Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait.
General Sirait stated that the military funeral serves as a final national tribute to a dedicated soldier and statesman. The ceremony will be led by the current Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who will serve as the inspector of the ceremony, according to a statement released on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
The former Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army passed away on Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2026, at the age of 76. He breathed his last at the Gatot Subroto Army Central Hospital in Jakarta.
Following his passing, the late Ryamizard Ryacudu was transported to his residence in the Cikeas area, Bogor. General Sirait noted that the body will lie in state at the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Hall at the Ministry of Defense office on Monday morning, followed by a formal farewell ceremony before the procession to the cemetery.
The Ministry of Defense expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Ryamizard Ryacudu, honoring him as a transformative figure who left an indelible mark on the nation’s defense landscape. “General (Ret.) Ryamizard Ryacudu was a leader defined by his high dedication, unwavering principles, and profound love for his country,” Sirait remarked.
Throughout his service, Ryamizard contributed significantly to upholding national sovereignty and strengthening Indonesia’s defense systems. His insights and policies remain integral to the Ministry’s ongoing mission to maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
Among his most notable initiatives during his tenure as Minister of Defense from 2014 to 2019 was the Bela Negara (State Defense) program. At the time, Ryamizard emphasized that participating in the program was a constitutional mandate for every citizen. “Those who do not uphold it have no right to reside in this country,” he famously stated in January 2017.
He advocated for Bela Negara as a means to strengthen the nation’s understanding of Pancasila, arguing that it serves as a shield against external and internal threats, such as liberalism, capitalism, socialism, communism, and radicalism. He maintained that while these ideologies might be suitable for other nations, they are neither compatible with nor applicable to Indonesia.
Ryamizard also took the opportunity to clarify misconceptions surrounding the program, specifically dismissing claims that Bela Negara was a form of civilian militarization. He compared the program to scout training, focusing on developing skills that empower citizens to combat criminality and assist in disaster relief efforts.
“Bela Negara is not compulsory military service. That is a completely false and narrow-minded perspective. I am bewildered by those who refuse to understand,” he said.
Editor’s Choice: Remains of Ryamizard Ryacudu Lying in State in Cikeas, Bogor
Summary
Former Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, Ryamizard Ryacudu, passed away on May 31, 2026, at the age of 76. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta on June 1, 2026, with the current Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, leading the ceremony.
During his tenure from 2014 to 2019, Ryacudu was widely recognized for establishing the Bela Negara program, an initiative aimed at strengthening national identity and protecting Indonesia from foreign ideologies. He consistently defended the program as a vital constitutional mandate for citizens, clarifying that it focused on civic contribution rather than mandatory military service.