Jakarta. Former Indonesian defense minister and army chief Ryamizard Ryacudu died on Sunday at the age of 76 after undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Jakarta, his family said.

According to family members, Ryamizard died while receiving treatment at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital. The illness he suffered was not disclosed.

Ryamizard served as Indonesia’s defense minister during the first administration of former president Joko Widodo from 2014 to 2019. He also served as chief of staff of the Indonesian Army from 2002 to 2005.

Before becoming army chief, Ryamizard held several key military positions, including commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command and commander of the Greater Jakarta Military Regional Command.

During his tenure as defense minister, Ryamizard introduced the concept of “state defense,” a policy framework aimed at building civilian reserve forces through voluntary participation rather than compulsory military service.

He also promoted joint maritime patrol cooperation with Malaysia and the Philippines to combat piracy in the Sulu Sea, a maritime region shared by the three Southeast Asian countries.

Earlier in his military career, Ryamizard was involved in operations against separatist movements in North Kalimantan, Aceh, Papua, and parts of Sulawesi.

He also led Indonesian troops participating in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cambodia in 1992.

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