26 August 2000, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Last Day As Mentamben

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (standing beside President Gus Dur), while still a minister in the National Unity Cabinet. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Today, 22 years ago, August 26, 2000, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) ended his post as Minister of Mines and Energy (Mentamben) of the Republic of Indonesia. President Abdurrahman Wahid's decision is behind it. The man who is familiarly called Gus Dur carried out a major reshuffle for his cabinet.

SBY became one of the ministers whose position changed. Several months later, Gus Dur put SBY into a new position. He served as Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs. Or commonly abbreviated as Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs.

Gus Dur made a lot of breakthroughs when he became the number one person in Indonesia. Appointing SBY as Mentamben, for example. Gus Dur's move is known as the big decision on October 20, 1999. Because SBY was forced to leave the TNI and its ranks. He chose to retire with the rank of Lieutenant General.

However, there is no reason for SBY not to enjoy his new position. Even though the world of mining and energy is a new world for him. He didn't give up either. He tried to learn all kinds of ins and outs of the world of mining and energy.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia. (Wikimedia Commons)

Patience and painstaking are the main keys for SBY to learn. He tries to be big-hearted by accepting all kinds of challenges as Minister of Agriculture in the future. Fighting as a TNI or minister is both a source of pride for him.

Both can be a way to realize Indonesia's dream to shine on the world stage. After all, SBY's presence as a minister made him known by the entire public. His popularity and electability have increased because of the variety of national reports related to SBY's work as a minister.

“After SBY told a long story, I said and asked SBY to be patient, trustful, and big-hearted, that maybe it was God's destiny and there must be wisdom behind the appointment as minister. I also said, who knows, by joining the cabinet, it will provide a clear path to become president in the future. Djasri Marin (a military figure) also gave the same advice so that SBY is patient and has a big heart in accepting his position as Mentamben.”

“Hearing the advice of both of us, SBY said: I'm fine. I quite understand and understand that the country needs my energy and thoughts at this time, but my wife Ani and my mother-in-law, Mrs. Sarwo Edhie, have not been able to understand and understand. Those at home are still 'shocked' to hear the news that I became Mentamben,” said Yussuf Solichien M. in his book Against All Odds (2021).

A year later, Gus Dur realized that many ministerial positions were not quite right. SBY is one of them. The position of Mentamben was felt to be incompatible with SBY's background. The pinnacle of being loved by scholars arrived. Gus Dur carried out a major reshuffle of the cabinet he led.

SBY was asked to leave the post of Mentamben on August 26, 2000. He was given a new position. The general who loves art was appointed as Coordinating Minister for Social Security and Security. SBY was happy to accept his new position. Moreover, the position of the Coordinating Minister for Social Security and Security is in accordance with his background in studying in the military.

“On August 26, 2000, the President dismantled and rearranged his cabinet. SBY's position in the ministry was changed to Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs, replacing Wiranto, who was stumbling over the referendum issue in East Timor,” concluded Garda Maeswara in Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's book (2009).