Prabowo Subianto Remembering General Wismoyo: He Reminded Me To Be Close To God

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto recalled the departure of former Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) Gen. Wismoyo Arismunandar, who has just passed away today.

Prabowo admitted that he was close to Wismoyo when he entered the Sandi Yudha Forces Command (Kopassandha). At that time, Prabowo was in the rank of second lieutenant, while Wismoyo served as Deputy Assistant for Security (Waaspam) Danjen Kopassanda with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

For Prabowo, Wismoyo is one of the teachers who teaches many important values at work. Prabowo said Wismoyo's philosophical teachings had an effect on him.

"Some of the philosophies he has always conveyed to me and until now I have used are 'Discipline is my breath, loyalty is my soul, honor is everything'", Prabowo said in his statement on Thursday, January 28.

There is one story that remains in Prabowo's mind, namely when he was leaving for his first operation as a company commander at the end of October 1978.

Before departing from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Wismoyo called Prabowo to talk. Wismoyo asked what preparations were brought by Prabowo who would carry out the operation.

"At that time, I explained that all the equipment was ready. Starting from weapons, bullets, compasses to medicines", he said.

Wismoyo again asked Prabowo about other things that had to be prepared. Prabowo repeatedly answered the preparations he had brought. Until finally, Wismoyo explained the meaning of his question.

"He explained that I'm still young, I have the responsibility for 100 troop lives, and would face deadly dangers, so he reminded me to be close to God, Allah SWT", he said.

From there, Prabowo understood what Wismoyo meant was the preparation of prayer equipment. Then, Wismoyo returned with a package and gave it to Prabowo.

"The content of the package was a prayer mat, he asked me to put the prayer mat in my backpack while on duty", he said.

Wismoyo Arismunandar died of illness on Thursday, January 28. The plan is for the body of the late General Wismoyo to be buried in Giribangun, Solo, Central Java. Before leaving for Solo, the deceased will be buried at the funeral home at Jalan Gempol 10, Bambu Apus, East Jakarta.