Profile Of Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin Appointed By President Prabowo As Minister Of Defense

Profile of Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Screenshot of Instagram @sjafrie_sjamsoeddin)

The name Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has returned to a hot topic of conversation after being appointed as minister in President Prabowo Subianto's Cabinet for the period 2024-2029. Sjafrie, a three-star general who has retired and has close ties with Prabowo, was appointed Minister of Defense in Prabowo's Red and White Cabinet. This reaffirms Sjafrie's longstanding involvement in the world of Indonesian politics and military.

Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin is not a new figure among the Indonesian military and political circles. His relationship with Prabowo has been around for a long time, especially when both of them entered a career in the Army. Their closeness is not only seen in the military world, but also in Prabowo's political career. When Prabowo served as Minister of Defense in the previous period, Sjafrie was also appointed as a special advisor at the Ministry of Defense. The two are often seen together in various events, both formal and informal, including in state events.

Before plunging further into politics, Sjafrie was known as President Suharto's personal bodyguard. His work in the military world is widely known, especially when he accompanied President Suharto on various foreign visits to a number of important countries such as the United States, Japan, Malaysia, and countries in the Middle East. This strategic position as Suharto's personal bodyguard further strengthens his position in the military world.

Born in Ujungpandang (now Makassar) on October 30, 1952, Sjafrie started his military career after graduating from the Armed Forces Academy of the Republic of Indonesia (Akabri) in 1974, which happened to be in the same force as Prabowo Subianto. From here, Sjafrie's military career continued to climb, especially in the elite Kopassus army.

In Kopassus, he occupied various strategic positions, ranging from Danton Group I to Waasops and Kopassus in the period 1975-1991. His brilliant military career brought him to the top when he served as Commander of Kodam Jaya in 1997, replacing Major General Sutiyoso, who was then elected governor of DKI Jakarta.

Appointment as Commander of Kodam Jaya is one of the important milestones in Sjafrie's military career. In addition, he also serves as another important position in the military world, including as Head of the TNI Information Center (Puspen TNI) and Secretary General of the Department of Defense. These positions make him increasingly known as one of the high-ranking officers who has a major influence in the TNI.

Controversy And Positions In Government

However, Sjafrie's career journey was not completely smooth, because he had also stumbled upon some controversy. One of the biggest controversies involving his name was his alleged involvement in the May 1998 riots. When he was appointed Secretary General of the Department of Defense in 2005, a number of activists opposed his appointment for alleged involvement in the incident. However, the controversy did not stop Sjafrie's steps in pursuing a career in government.

It is known that in 2010, Sjafrie was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense, accompanying Purnomo Yusgiantoro. In this position, he is also responsible for various strategic policies in the defense sector, including the modernization of defense equipment and the improvement of the capabilities of military personnel. His experience and reputation in the military have made him trusted to occupy various important positions in government, both in cabinets and outside the government structure.

In addition to his position at the Ministry of Defense, Sjafrie is also involved in various national activities, including in the field of sports. In 2018, he was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC), which is responsible for the implementation of the Asian Games in Indonesia. The important role in this international event adds to the length of his work list outside the military world.

Under Prabowo Subianto's new administration, Sjafrie is again trusted to carry out his great task as Minister of Defense. This appointment reflects how close the professional and personal relationship between Sjafrie and Prabowo is. Their long-standing closeness, coupled with his experience and expertise in defense, made Sjafrie considered the right person to oversee defense policies under this new government.

With a long experience in the military and government world, Sjafrie is expected to continue the strong defense tradition, as well as ensure Indonesia's security and stability amid increasingly complex global challenges. Its important role in Prabowo Subianto's cabinet for the 2024-2029 period will be in the spotlight, especially in dealing with strategic issues in the region and efforts to maintain Indonesia's sovereignty.

In addition to who are the Ministers in the Prabowo-Gibran cabinet, read also: President Prabowo Subianto Announces the Composition of the Red and White Cabinet

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