Suharto or what is commonly known by the Indonesian people, was the second President of the Republic of Indonesia. Suharto was the president who served the longest, namely 32 years.
At that time, the government led by Soeharto had many irregularities or things that should not be done in various fields, such as a lot of corruption, collusion and nepotism. Because of the irregularities that occurred during Soeharto’s reign, Indonesia experienced an economic crisis.
All the things that happened during Soeharto’s reign can be used as lessons for future governments. Suharto will be a figure who has many stories in his lifetime, both about family, Indonesia, and many more.
Not only that, in the eyes of the world, Suharto also had a phenomenal story. Check out the following review of Suharto’s short biography from childhood to becoming President.
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1. Suharto’s Childhood
Suharto was someone who was born in Yogyakarta, more precisely in the village of Kemusuk, Argomulyo. Soeharto was born on June 8 1921. When he was born, Suharto could be said to be from an underprivileged family.
Suharto was a child born to a father named Kertosudiro and a mother named Sukirah. Soeharto’s father was a farmer in his village and an assistant to the village head in irrigating the village rice fields.
When Suharto was not yet 40 days old, his mother entrusted her child to his grandfather or Mbah Kromo. Mbah Kromo’s real name is Kromodiryo, where he was a midwife who helped Soeharto’s birth process.
Soeharto lived at Mbah Kromo’s house for quite a long time, around four years. During those four years, Suharto was able to feel and receive the love like a parent given by Mbah Kromo. From Mbah Kromo’s house too, Soeharto could learn to stand and even walk.
When he was still a child, Suharto was often invited by Mbah Kromo to go to the rice fields. Soeharto was very happy because when he was in the rice fields he could play flipping, giving orders to the buffalo when plowing the fields.
Suharto was skilled at giving instructions such as go forward, turn left, turn right, and he also really liked playing in the water and bathing in the mud. Apart from that, the thing he enjoys most is looking for and catching eels or fish. Therefore, until his old age, Suharto still really liked or had a hobby of fishing.
Soeharto’s parents separated, then Suharto’s mother (Sukirah) remarried a man named Atmopawiro and had seven children. Meanwhile, Suharto’s biological father (Kertosudiro) also remarried and had four children.
After a long time or more or less four years of living together in Mbah Kromo’s house, Soeharto’s mother (Sukirah) took her child and brought him home to Soeharto’s stepfather (Atmopawiro).
Sometimes, Suharto’s biological father came several times to see his son’s condition. Until one time, Suharto was very happy to have his biological father come because he brought him a goat.
2. Suharto’s education
When he was eight years old, Soeharto had just entered elementary school, but he changed schools several times. When he first entered school, Soeharto attended tens elementary school, Godean. However, when his mother and stepfather moved house to Kemusuk Kidul, Soeharto also moved to Pedes Elementary School.
Kertosudiro (Suharto’s biological father) was concerned about his son’s future, so he entrusted Suharto to the Prawirowihardjo family who lived in Wuryantoro, Purwodadi, Central Java.
Prawirowiharjo is the husband of Kertosudiro’s younger brother or Kertosudiro’s brother-in-law. Prawirowiharjo is a farmer’s orderly and his father is a well-known businessman, Sudwikatmono.
While living with his aunt and uncle, Soeharto was very happy because his uncle often took him to the rice fields so that he could slowly understand the ins and outs of the world of agriculture. To continue to junior high school, Soeharto chose to return to his hometown in Kemusuk.
Muhammadiyah Junior High School in Yogyakarta was the educational institution chosen by Soeharto after graduating from elementary school. To cover the distance to school, when going to and from school, Soeharto used a bicycle that was almost damaged.
After graduating from junior high school, Soeharto really wanted to continue his education to senior high school level. However, due to the family’s economic situation and the limited funds his parents had, Soeharto had to abandon his intention.
Soeharto received two work summons letters which occurred around 1939, the first letter was a summons letter from the bank and the second letter was a summons letter from the army. And finally what Suharto chose was a career in the military world.
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3. Suharto’s marriage
When he was 26 years old, Suharto married Siti Hartinah who was 24 years old. Suharto’s wife was the daughter of Soemoharjomo, wedana in Wuryantoro.
Soemoharjomo was also an employee of the Mangkunegaran Palace, Surakarta. Suharto and Siti Hartinah’s wedding took place on December 26 1947 and was held in Solo.
In fact, Suharto and Siti Hartinah at Wuryantoro had known each other since they were children. Suharto was a brave person and he was even praised by Siti Hartinah for his bravery.
Soeharto’s courage took the form of daring to enter the courtyard of the royal house just to tease Siti Hartinah. When he entered the yard, Suharto always picked flowers so that when a flower was damaged, Siti Hartinah would say that the person who damaged the flowers was Suharto.
The marriage between Suharto and Siti Hartinah gave birth to six children, consisting of three boys and three girls. Following are the names of Suharto’s children, Siti Hardijanti Hastuti, Sigit Harjojudanto, Bambang Trihatmodjo, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, Hutomo Mandala Putra, and Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih.
Suharto’s wife had a very good relationship with journalists, so it could be said that Siti Hartinah (Mrs. Tien) was very familiar with journalists.
Journalists will be present immediately if requested by Mrs. Tien on Jalan Cendana, Jakarta. Before writing a story, each journalist will be given a message by Mrs. Tien “Don’t make a mistake… in covering Pak Harto’s event.” This was because at that time, all coverage and interview results were mostly handwritten or recorded directly.
Suharto’s wife and mother of six children died on April 28 1996. Based on family information, Mrs. Tien died because she suffered from heart disease. Tien’s mother is buried at Astana Giri Bangun, Karanganyar, Central Java.
4. Suharto’s Military Career
Before starting his political career, Soeharto became a member of the military institution, namely the TNI (Indonesian National Army). Soeharto was appointed as a member of the TNI on October 5 1945.
When he was a member of the TNI, Soeharto was given the task of leading troops to fight Dutch military actions which were trying to re-colonize Indonesia.
On March 1 1949, Suharto’s name became increasingly known to many people because he played an important role in the attack to control the city of Yogyakarta.
His success in controlling Yogyakarta cannot be separated from the role and struggle of the Indonesian people in fighting the Dutch. Even though Suharto led this attack, the initiator of this attack was actually the King of Yogyakarta, Governor, Military, and Minister of Defense Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX.
Soeharto succeeded in becoming a soldier with the rank of Brigadier General and led the Mandala Command which was tasked with reclaiming West Irian. The Mandala Command was implemented in 1961, and from this Mandala Command Soeharto gained very valuable experience, namely that he was able to get to know Major Ali Moertopo, Captain LB Moerdani, and Marine Colonel Sudomo. These three people are people who have important and strategic roles.
Suharto received a promotion after completing his duties in West Irian and returning from Eastern Indonesia. The rank obtained by Soeharto was Major General and by General AH Nasution, he was withdrawn to the headquarters of ABRI (Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia). Not only that, in 1962, Suharto was promoted to Commander in Chief of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad).
ABRI, especially the Army, in 1965 experienced divisions or internal conflict. This internal conflict was caused by the Nasakom (Nationalist, Religious, Communist) ideology initiated by Soekarno, which caused the TNI AD to split into two camps, first, the left wing camp, and second, the right wing camp.
In the early hours of October 1, 1965, six generals were kidnapped and murdered. The group that kidnapped and killed six generals claimed to be the September 30 Movement (G30S) group.
All of these events happened so quickly that the March 11 Order (Supersemar) appeared from President Soekarno which contained the authority and mandate for Suharto to take and determine all actions so that this problem was resolved and could restore security and order.
Since the issuance of the March 11 Order (Supersemar) by Soekarno, the position of Commander in Chief of the Command for the Restoration of Security and Order (Kopkamtib) has been held by Soeharto.
On March 27 1968, Suharto was inaugurated by the MPRS to become President of the Republic of Indonesia. This inauguration marked the birth of the New Order government.
5. Soeharto’s Political Career as President of the New Order
In fact, Soeharto began serving as President of the Republic of Indonesia in 1966, but was only appointed by the MPRS in 1968. In other words, Soeharto only legally became the second President of the Republic of Indonesia in 1968. When he first became President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto did not yet have a vice president. Republic of Indonesia.
From 1973 to 1998, Suharto had a deputy. Check out the following review about the Vice President during the New Order government or the period when the government was led by Suharto.
The first Vice President under Suharto’s leadership was Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. During this government, Soeharto formed the Development Cabinet I. The working period in the Development Cabinet I was from 6 June 1968 to 28 March 1973.
During this government, the Commander in Chief of the Security and Order Operations Command was General Maraden Panggabean. General Maraden Panggabean, at that time also served as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs.
a. President Soeharto and Vice President Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX
After serving as President of the Republic of Indonesia for five years, only in his second term did Soeharto have a Vice President of Indonesia, namely Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono. Under this leadership, Soeharto formed the Second Development Cabinet and the working period of this Cabinet was 28 March 1973 – 29 March 1978.
In the Second Development Cabinet, the Minister of Foreign Affairs was H. Adam Malik, who would become Vice President in Suharto’s third term of leadership. However, in 1977 H.
Adam Malik was replaced by Syarif Thayeb. This replacement of Ministers was carried out because in 1977, H. Adam Malik was appointed chairman of the MPR (People’s Consultative Assembly) / DPR (People’s Representative Council) of the Republic of Indonesia.
b. President Soeharto and Vice President H. Adam Malik
After serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the MPR/DPR RI, in 1978, H. Adam Malik was trusted by Soeharto to assume the position of Vice President of Indonesia. During this government, Soeharto formed the III Development Cabinet with a working period from 19 March 1978 to 19 March 1983.
The Commander of the Security and Order Operations Command is Sudomo. In this cabinet there is a name that is quite famous to date, namely BJ Habibie. In the II Development Cabinet, he served as Minister of Research and Technology.
c. President Soeharto and Vice President Umar Wirahadikusumah
In the two previous periods, the Vice President chosen by Soeharto was a former Minister in the previous cabinet. However, in the Fourth Development Cabinet, Suharto chose Vice President instead of a former Minister, namely Umar Wirahadikusumah. The IV Development Cabinet had a working period starting from March 19 1983 to March 22 1988.
General Sudharmono, who in the IV Development Cabinet served as Minister/state secretary. In the following period, Suharto trusted him to become Vice President. In this cabinet, the Commander in Chief of ABRI (Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia) is General LB Moerdani.
d. President Soeharto and Vice President Sudharmono
Sudharmono served as the fourth Vice President of Indonesia during Soeharto’s presidency. Suharto and Sudharmono formed Development Cabinet V. This cabinet had a term of office from 23 March 1988 to 17 March 1993.
In the Development Cabinet, BJ Habibie served again as Minister of State for Research and Technology/Chair of the Agency for the Study and Application of Technology. Attorney General Sukarton Marmosudjono was replaced by Singgih, SH after he died.
e. President Soeharto and Vice President Try Sutrisno
The fifth Vice President during Suharto’s leadership was Try Sutrisno. During this government period, the name of the cabinet used was “Development Cabinet VI”. This cabinet had a term of office from 17 March 1993 to 14 March 1998.
In the previous cabinet, the Attorney General was held by Singgih and in the next cabinet (Development Cabinet VI), Singgih was trusted by President Soeharto to return as Attorney General.
f. President Soeharto and Vice President BJ Habibie
In the VII Development Cabinet, his term of office was only a matter of months, namely 14 March 1998 to 21 May 1998. This was because Soeharto resigned as President of the Republic of Indonesia and was replaced by BJ Habibie.
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Conclusion
Suharto was born into a poor family, so he had to be entrusted several times to his parents’ relatives. Even though he was born into a poor family, Suharto remained enthusiastic about living his life. He was a hard worker so that after a military career he was appointed as the second President of Indonesia.
During Suharto’s tenure as President of the Republic of Indonesia, the name of the cabinet was the same and was differentiated only by the volume of the cabinet. Almost every Vice President chosen by Soeharto was a former Minister in the previous cabinet.