Moeldoko

In this Indonesian name, there is no family name nor a patronymic.
General (Ret.)
Moeldoko
3rd Presidential Chief of Staff
In office
17 January 2018 – 20 October 2024
PresidentJoko Widodo
Preceded byTeten Masduki
Succeeded byAnto Mukti Putranto
Commander of the National Armed Forces
In office
30 August 2013[1][2][3] – 8 July 2015
PresidentSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Joko Widodo
Preceded byAdmiral Agus Suhartono
Succeeded byGeneral Gatot Nurmantyo
Chief of Staff of the Army
In office
20 May 2013 – 30 August 2013
PresidentSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Preceded byGeneral Pramono Edhie Wibowo
Succeeded byGeneral Budiman[4][5]
Commander of Military District III/Siliwangi
In office
October 2010 – August 2011
Preceded byMajor General Pramono Edhie Wibowo
Succeeded byMajor General Muhammad Munir
Commander of Military District XII/Tanjungpura
In office
June 2010 – October 2010
Preceded byNew office
Succeeded byMajor General Geerhan Lantara
Commander of 1st Kostrad Infantry Division
In office
January 2010 – June 2010
Preceded byMajor General Hatta Syafrudin
Succeeded byBrigadier General Adi Mulyono
Personal details
Born (1957-07-08) 8 July 1957 (age 67)
Purwoasri, Kediri, Indonesia
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Hanura (2016–2018)[6]
SpouseKoesni Harningsih
Children2
Alma materIndonesian Military Academy (AKABRI) - 1981
Military service
Allegiance Indonesia
Branch/service Indonesian Army
Years of service1981–2015
Rank General
UnitInfantry

Moeldoko (pronounced [muldoko]; born 8 July 1957) is an Indonesian government official, businessman, and retired general serving as the current Chief of Staff of Presidency for President Joko Widodo, previously serving as Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.[1][2][3][7][8] He graduated from the Indonesian Military Academy (AKABRI) in 1981 and received the Adhi Makayasa medal as valedictorian of his class.[9][10][11] On 27 August 2013, he was appointed Commander of the National Armed Forces by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and approved by the People's Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, DPR) [12][13] after serving as the Chief of Staff of the Army for only three months.[1][14] He succeeded Admiral (Ret.) Agus Suhartono who retired in May 2013.[15]

Military career

Moeldoko has been assigned to several military operations during his career.[16] The most notable of these operations are: Operation Seroja in East Timor (1984) and Garuda Contingent XI/A for The Congo (1995). In addition, his overseas assignments and operations include stints in New Zealand (1983 and 1987), Singapore and Japan (1991), Iraq-Kuwait (1992), USA, and Canada.[11]

Within seven months of 2013, General Moeldoko was granted three promotions: first as Deputy Army Chief of Staff in February, then as Army Chief of Staff in May,[1] and as Commander of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) on August 30.[2][7] In the same year, he also received a Doctorate degree in public administration science from the Faculty of Social and Political Science of the Universitas Indonesia (UI).[17][18]

In February 2014, he met with the Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, General Fan Changlong in Beijing, China, to discuss bilateral ties.[19][20] These discussions were related to maritime and anti-terrorism cooperation as well as the Komodo multilateral joint exercise that involves all 10 ASEAN member states together with Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and USA.[21][22][23] To promote friendship and cooperation, General Moeldoko met with Vietnamese General Phùng Quang Thanh, Minister of National Defence of Vietnam in February, 2014[24] and with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines General Emmanuel Bautista at Camp Aguinaldo.[25][26]

Although he has never served outside the military, General Moeldoko has been active at home and abroad.[27][28][29] He has been mentioned as potential VP and running mate[30] of Joko Widodo, the governor of Jakarta and candidate in the 2014 Indonesian presidential elections, though he ultimately is not selected as a candidate.[30][31]

Political career

After retiring from the military, Moeldoko joined Hanura Party in 2016.[32] On 17 January 2018, Indonesian president Joko Widodo chose him to be the Presidential Chief of Staff.[33]

In 2021, he was elected as a Democratic Party General Chairman in a heavily disputed extraordinary congress.[34][35]

Controversies

General Moeldoko has been involved in handling the incident of the turning-back asylum boats in Australia.[36][37] He is also involved in the decision to name an Indonesian navy ship after marines associated with MacDonald House Bombing in Singapore in 1965.[38][39][40] He had also been criticized for allegedly wearing a $100,000 Richard Mille Felipe Massa collection watch while millions of Indonesians are living in poverty. Moeldoko stated that the watch is a Chinese-made fake replica and not a real one.[41][42][43]

Personal life

Moeldoko was born in Kediri, East Java as the youngest son in a family of twelve children. He attended an agricultural vocational school in the town of Jombang in East Java and the joined the military academy in Magelang, Central Java. Moeldoko was married to Koesni Harningsih (d. 2023)[44] and has two children, Randy Bimantoro and Joanina Rachma.[45]

Awards and distinctions

During his military career, General Moeldoko has received many awards and distinctions. The Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) was conferred to him by the President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam in recognition of his contributions in strengthening ties between the Indonesian and Singaporean armies.

Medals and decorations

  • [A] Mil. Disting. Service Star
    [A] Mil. Disting.
    Service Star
  • [B] Mil. Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore)
    [B] Mil. Meritorious
    Service Medal
    (Singapore)
  • [C] Def. Meritorious Service Star
    [C] Def. Meritorious
    Service Star
  • [D] Army Meritorious Service Star
    [D] Army Meritorious
    Service Star
  • [E] Malaysia/Borneo Mil. Campaign Medal
    [E] Malaysia/Borneo Mil.
    Campaign Medal

Foreign honour

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Indonesian Assistant Deputy Minister for State Documents and Translation (23 May 2013). "President Yudhoyono Inaugurates New Army Chief of Staff". Ministry of State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "General Moeldoko approved as new Indonesian military chief". Antara (news agency). August 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b Hou Qiang (August 2013). "Moeldoko officially installed as Indonesian military commander". Xinhua News (China). Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Budiman replaces Moeldoko as Army chief of staff". The Jakarta Post, Indonesia. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Budiman appointed as Indonesia army chief of staff". Xinhua News Agency(China). August 2013. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  6. ^ Sutrisno, Elvan Dany (3 July 2018). "Pamit ke Wiranto, Ini Jejak Singkat Moeldoko di Hanura". Detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  7. ^ a b Rinaldo (30 August 2013). "President Inaugurates Armed Forces Commander and Chief of Staff This Morning". Liputan6. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  8. ^ "General Moeldoko Officially Inaugurated As TNI chief". Beritasatu.com. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Indonesia's new military chief". The Strategist (Australia). 26 August 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  10. ^ "Alumni – 1981 (Infantry)". Indonesia Military academy. 1981. Archived from the original on 22 February 2001. Retrieved 26 April 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Profile TNI Commander General Moeldoko (Indonesian)". Kompas (Indonesia). 30 August 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  12. ^ "House Unanimously Approves Moeldoko as New Army Chief". The Jakarta Globe (Indonesia). 21 August 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  13. ^ Natalie Sambhi (26 August 2013). "Indonesia's new military chief". The Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  14. ^ Riski Adam (31 July 2013). "Wiranto: I Leave Record Fastest Chief of Staff to General Moeldoko (Indonesian)". Liputan 6. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  15. ^ "Moeldoko likely next TNI commander". The Jakarta Post, Indonesia. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  16. ^ "Mutation in Range Position TNI". Indonesian National Armed Forces Web site. 14 September 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  17. ^ "TNI chief gets doctoral degree". The Jakarta Post. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  18. ^ "Moeldoko Achieves Doctorate Degree with honors (Indonesian)". MetroTV News. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  19. ^ "TNI eyes closer cooperation with China". The Jakarta Post, Indonesia. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  20. ^ "China, Indonesia to strengthen maritime, anti-terrorism cooperation". Xinhua News Agency. 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  21. ^ "Indonesian Military Chief to Visit China, May Meet Xi Jinping !". Pakistan Defence. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  22. ^ "China's Dismaying New Claims in the South China Sea". The Wall Street Journal. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  23. ^ "China, Indonesia agree on closer military ties". Xinhua News Agency(China). 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  24. ^ "Defence cooperation boosts Vietnam-Indonesia relations". National Defence Journal (Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence). 14 February 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  25. ^ Frances Mangosing (14 February 2014). "Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit". Inquirer. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  26. ^ Frances Mangosing (1 May 2014). "Asean not intimidated by China". The Manila Times (Philippines). Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  27. ^ "Gen. Dr.. Moeldoko received the 2014 PWI Java award". Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  28. ^ "Indonesia's new military chief wants modern force". Today (Singapore newspaper). 28 August 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  29. ^ Zakir Hussain (23 April 2014). "Military commander with a mission at home and abroad". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  30. ^ a b "Indonesia's next president: It may all come down to the running mate". Malay Mail Online. 13 April 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  31. ^ "Indonesia elections: PDI-P looking to put military man as Joko's running mate". The Straits Times (Asia Report). 27 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  32. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber (7 March 2021). "Intip Kekayaan Moeldoko, Eks Panglima TNI dan Ketum Demokrat Versi KLB Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Profil Moeldoko, Kepala Staf Kepresidenan yang Kini Jadi Ketum Demokrat Kubu Kontra AHY". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  34. ^ Lubis, Ahmad Arfah Fansuri. "KLB Demokrat di Sumut Tetapkan Moeldoko Jadi Ketum!". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  35. ^ Nurita, Dewi (31 March 2021). "Breaking News: Kemenkumham Tolak KLB Demokrat". TEMPO.CO (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  36. ^ George Roberts (February 2014). "Indonesia's government and military close ranks against Australia's boat turn-backs". ABC News Australia. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  37. ^ Michael Bachelard (February 2014). "Turnbacks abandoned, says Jakarta". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  38. ^ Agus Suhana and Berni Moestafa (18 April 2014). "Indonesia Army Chief Says No Apology to Singapore for Ship Name". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  39. ^ Glenys Sim (16 April 2014). "Singapore Resumes Military Cooperation After Indonesia's Apology". Bloomberg. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  40. ^ "Indonesian Armed Forces chief expresses regret over naming of warship". Channel NewsAsia. 15 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  41. ^ "Moeldoko under fire over 'fake' watch". The Star (Malaysia). 26 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  42. ^ "Indonesia: Military chief 'collects fake watches'". BBC News. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  43. ^ Damien McElroy (25 April 2014). "My chunky watch is a fake' cries Indonesia's top general". The Telegraph (UK). Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  44. ^ "Istri Kepala Staf Presiden Moeldoko Meninggal". Tempo (in Indonesian). 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  45. ^ "Chinese-Indonesians told to be active in development". The Jakarta Post. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  46. ^ "TNI Commander received honors". Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  47. ^ "Commander of Indonesian National Defence Forces Receives Prestigious Military Award". Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Singapore. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  48. ^ "Singapore confers military award to Indonesian general". AsiaOne. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  49. ^ "Panglima TNI Moeldoko Terima Penghargaan Militer dari Singapura". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  50. ^ "Commander-in-Chief of Indonesian National Defence Forces Receives Prestigious Military Award". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  51. ^ Okezone (22 September 2015). "Moeldoko Sabet Penghargaan dari Presiden Singapura : Okezone Nasional". nasional.okezone.com/ (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  52. ^ "Panglima TNI Terima Anugrah Bintang Kehormatan Brunei Darussalam". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  53. ^ satuharapan.com, PT Satu Harapan Media |. "Panglima TNI Terima Bintang Kehormatan dari Pemerintah Filipina - Satu Harapan". satuharapan.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  54. ^ Bambang (10 February 2015). "PERTAHANAN DAN KEAMANAN: Panglima TNI terima Bintang Kehormatan DKAT". PERTAHANAN DAN KEAMANAN. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  55. ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat".
  56. ^ https://www.facebook.com/bangkokbiznews (22 July 2015). "พระราชทานเครื่องราชฯ 'พล.อ.มุลโดโก' ผบ.สส.อินโดฯ". bangkokbiznews (in Thai). Retrieved 1 June 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
Military offices
Preceded by
Hatta Syafruddin
 Commander of Infantry Division 1/Kostrad
2010 		Succeeded by
Adi Mulyono
Preceded by
New office
 Commander of Military Area Command XII /Tanjungpura
2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Military Area Command III/Siliwangi
2010–2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Indonesian Army Deputy Chief of Staff
2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Indonesian Army Chief of Staff
2013 		Succeeded by
Budiman
Preceded by Commander of Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI)
2013–2015 		Succeeded by