By: Prabowo Subianto [taken from the Book: Military Leadership Notes from Experience Chapter I: Exemplary Leaders of The Indonesian Armed Forces]
There is a saying that a true teacher should take pride in seeing his students surpass him. A true teacher will ensure that his students and subordinates are more successful than him. A true teacher will not hesitate to guide his students to reach their full potential and achieve the highest ranks for the sake of the nation and country.
Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) Kemal Idris
When I was 17 years old and returned to Indonesia from Europe, Pak Kemal Idris was already a well-known figure in the TNI. He was known for his role in the New Order regime at the beginning of President Suharto’s administration. Pak Kemal Idris was a close friend of my late uncle, Subianto, who died in the Battle of Lengkong.
During our meeting, Pak Kemal Idris shared with me that he was my uncle’s best friend and spoke highly of his bravery. He mentioned that if my uncle were still alive, he would have held a high rank in the TNI. He encouraged me to follow in my uncle’s footsteps and referred to him as a hero.
As I learned more about Pak Kemal Idris, I discovered that he was a patriotic, brave, and outspoken individual. His battalion was the first to enter the capital after Indonesia gained sovereignty from the Dutch. Despite being known as a “naughty boy” for his outspokenness and criticism of his superiors, Pak Kemal Idris was respected for his courage and leadership abilities.
He fought against rebels in the 1950s and 1965 and later became a trusted confidant of President Suharto. Pak Kemal Idris was appointed as the Chief of Army Strategic Reserves Command (Pangkostrad) after President Suharto’s promotion. I admired Pak Kemal Idris for his honesty, support for the underprivileged, and welcoming attitude. However, he had a tendency to make hasty decisions due to his emotional nature.
I had the privilege of receiving leadership insights from Pak Kemal Idris, and in his final moments, he asked me to continue fighting for the Republic of Indonesia. His last words to me were a heartfelt thank you, and I was deeply moved by his passing.
Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) Hartono Rekso Dharsono
Known by his nickname Pak Ton, Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) H. R. Dharsono was a powerful confidant of President Suharto during the New Order era. He was known for his courage in correcting and criticizing the President, as well as advocating for a more democratic Indonesia. Despite opposition from some within the military, he remained popular among the people, students, and soldiers.
Pak Ton was a close friend of my family, especially my parents, uncle, and father. He had a distinguished career in the TNI, serving as the Commander of Kodam Siliwangi and Chief of Staff of Kodam Siliwangi during times of rebellion and conflict. He was admired for his leadership and courage in strengthening unity between the TNI and the people.
Despite facing accusations and imprisonment for supporting acts of terror, I remained supportive of Pak Ton and visited him during his time in prison. I admired his resilience and commitment to democracy, even when it meant criticizing his superiors and facing consequences.
Pak Ton’s dedication to a democratic Indonesia and his willingness to stand up for his beliefs serve as a reminder of the importance of integrity and courage in leadership. I was inspired by his example and grateful for the lessons he imparted to me.