The Life Journey of Soeharto, Second President of the Republic of Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – General of the Army Muhammad Soeharto was the second President of the Republic of Indonesia, governing for more than three decades. He was born in Kemusuk, Yogyakarta, on June 8, 1921, and passed away in South Jakarta on Sunday, January 27, 2006, at the age of 87. Throughout his life, Soeharto traversed a long journey, rising from the son of a village farmer to become one of the most influential figures in modern Indonesian history.

According to official information from the National Library, Soeharto’s military path began when he was selected as an exemplary soldier at the Non-Commissioned Officer School in Gombong, Central Java, in 1941. Four years later, on October 5, 1945, he officially became a member of the Indonesian Military (TNI), marking the beginning of his long military career.

In 1947, Soeharto married Siti Hartinah, the daughter of a Mangkunegaran official. The wedding of Lieutenant Colonel Soeharto and Siti Hartinah took place in Solo on December 26, 1947, when Soeharto was 26 years old and Hartinah was 24. From this marriage, they were blessed with six children: Siti Hardiyanti Hastuti, Sigit Harjojudanto, Bambang Trihatmodjo, Siti Hediati Herijadi, Hutomo Mandala Putra, and Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih.

His military career steadily advanced, progressing from the rank of sergeant in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL), through roles as a PETA commander and a regimental commander with the rank of Major, to a battalion commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1949, Soeharto led his troops to retake the city of Yogyakarta from Dutch colonial forces.

He also served as a bodyguard to Commander-in-Chief Sudirman and held the position of Mandala Commander during the operation to liberate West Irian. A turning point in Soeharto's life occurred following the outbreak of the 30 September Movement/Indonesian Communist Party (G30S/PKI) incident on October 1, 1965. He assumed command of the Army and was appointed Commander for the Restoration of Security and Order (Pangkopkamtib) by President Sukarno.

In March 1966, he received the Order of March 11 (Supersemar), tasked with restoring national security and order. Amidst continued political turmoil, a Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS) in March 1967 appointed him Acting President; he was subsequently confirmed as the second President of the Republic of Indonesia in March 1968. He governed through six general elections before resigning on May 21, 1998.

After stepping down from the presidency, Soeharto lived out his later years until he fell ill. He underwent medical treatment for 24 days before passing away on Sunday, January 27, 2006, at 13:10 WIB, at the age of 87.