Â鶹APP

Top 10 Fun Facts about Sudirman

General of the Army Raden Sudirman was a high-ranking Indonesian military officer during the Indonesian National Revolution. The first commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, he continues to be widely respected in the country.

Sudirman was born in 1916 in Hamlet Rembang, Bantarbarang, and Purbalingga. General education Hollandsch-Inlandsche School, Cilacap, graduated in 1931. He continued to Taman Siswa and MULO Wiworotomo, Cilacap, graduated in 1934. While at MULO, Sudirman was educated by Suwardjo Tirtosupono, a graduate of the Dutch Breda Military Academy, who did not want to be appointed as a KNIL officer but chose to join the national movement.

 After the Japanese occupied the Indies in 1942, Sudirman continued to teach, before joining the Japanese-sponsored Defenders of the Homeland as a battalion commander in Banyumas in 1944. For the top 10 fun facts about Sudirman, read on.

 

 

1. General Sudirman was Indonesia’s First and also Youngest Commander-in-Chief

General Sudirman had been appointed commander of TKR on December 18, 1945 meaning he became commander at the age of 29 years. General Sudirman was the first and youngest commander in the history of Indonesia.

After Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945, he was tasked with overseeing the surrender of Japanese soldiers in Banyumas. He established a division of the People’s Safety Body. In 1945, at an election to decide the military’s commander-in-chief in Yogyakarta, Sudirman was chosen over Oerip Soemohardjo in a close vote. The fun fact is that he didn’t gain his General’s position through military academy training but because of his loyalty.

2.      Sudirman is The Face of Money

The first ‘Indonesian rupiah’ banknotes bore the date of the proclamation of new Indonesian money, 17 October 1945, under the authority of the “Republik Indonesia”. They were apparently intended for issue on 1 February 1946, but only a few were released at the time. 

Until now there are about 11 types of rupiah money bearing the image of General Sudirman, all the money was printed in 1964. Sudirman’s pictorial money is respectively Rp1, Rp2,5, Rp5, Rp10, Rp25, Rp50, Rp100, Rp500, Rp1,000, Rp5,000, and Rp10,000 .

3.  Sudirman was a Humble General

It may be uncommon for many military generals to live a modest lifestyle.  General Sudirman, lived a simple, humble life. He is well known as the founding father of the National Army of Indonesia (Tentara Nasional Indonesia/TNI), whose humble life even got to the point of living in poverty like conditions/mlarat.

Sudirman’s leadership and personality were tested at the Hizbul Wathon Muhammadiyah Scouting, Cilacap early on in life. Sudirman is respected by the community so he was trusted to lead the Scouting of the Residency of Banyumas, Central Java and East Priangan.

Sudirman’s star continued to shine bright, he was trusted to be the Deputy of the Muhammadiyah Youth Council, teacher and Head of his former school at a young age.

4.  There is a Statue of General Sudirman in Japan

The statue of General Soedirman is installed in front of the Tokyo Ministry of Defense building. It seems that the Japanese society is very respectful of Indonesia’s hero, considering the statue is the only statue of a foreign country’s hero on display in Japan. 

The Bronze Statue was unveiled in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defense in Japan, Tokyo. The Statue of General Sudirman was a gift from the Ministry of Defense Indonesia to the Ministry of Defense of Japan.

The Japanese government was represented by the Minister of Defense and a number of top military officials. On the Indonesian side, there was the Defense Minister and the then Governor of North Sulawesi Sinyo Harry Sarundajang.

5.  General Sudirman Led the Guerilla War with only 1 Lung

During much of the pre-independence, he was sick with tuberculosis, but he still led several guerrilla actions against the Dutch. The disease became severe tuberculosis, which caused him to lose his lung. Although remaining with one functional lung General Sudirman still lead guerrilla warfare and strategies.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including the tummy (abdomen), glands, bones and nervous system.

6.  General Sudirman was Very Pious

He was a diligent student at a Muhammadiyah-run school, he became respected within the community for his devotion to Islam. General Sudirman always performed ablution before leaving for war.  

After dropping out of teacher’s college, in 1936 he began working as a teacher, and later headmaster, at a Muhammadiyah-run elementary school. He was always in a state of purity while leading his troops. General Sudirman also always prayed on time.

General Soedirman had a sincere intention in undergoing the battle for the sake of the people of Indonesia.

7.  Sudirman is a National Hero of Indonesia

General Sudirman died in January 1950 when he was 34 years old. He was buried in Heroes’ Cemetery in Semaki, Yogyakarta. He received the title of National Hero of Indonesia as an Independence Hero. There is a monument of him at Sudirman road, central Jakarta.

National Hero of Indonesia (Indonesian: Pahlawan Nasional Indonesia) is the highest-level title awarded in Indonesia. It is posthumously given by the Government of Indonesia for actions which are deemed to be heroic, defined as “actual deeds which can be remembered and exemplified for all time by other citizens” or “extraordinary service furthering the interests of the state and people”.

8.  Sudirman was a Decisive Leader

Sukarno was the leader of the Indonesian struggle for independence from the Dutch colonialists. He became. As the first the president, Mr. Sukarno didn’t allow him to lead the guerillas, and asked him to stay in the city. But he defied the order because of his responsibility as the leader of a fledgling nation. He forfeited his comfort for the freedom of Indonesian people.

For seven months he led the guerrillas and moved from one place to another, from mountain to mountain in his sickness, without proper medication. He always inspired his soldier’s morale thus defeated the Dutch.

9. Most Cities Have Named a Street After him

Be it a large city or a small provincial town, one thing is for sure – and that is one of its streets will be named Jalan Sudirman. In Jakarta, Jalan Sudirman is the great thoroughfare which cuts through the heart of the city on a north-south axis and which is lined by some of the cities most important buildings: towering skyscrapers, luxury hotels and plush shopping malls.

Located on a street named after him as well in the heart of the city, Sudirman’s statue on Jalan Sudirman. It is a testament to his ever-lasting legacy and is a tribute to his invaluable sacrifice toward Indonesia’s independence movement.

The statue is within close proximity to many other attractions in central Jakarta, with Menteng Park and Lake Lembang Market both less than 2km away. Sudirman’s larger-than-life presence can be felt throughout Indonesia, with most cities having at least one street named after the general.

10.  Sudirman Museum

In order to preserve and pass on the noble values ​​of struggle, dedication and services of General Sudirman to the nation and state that has been appointed as a National Hero, the residence is enshrined as the Sasmitaloka Museum of the Great Commander General Sudirman.

The Panglima Besar Jenderal Sudirman Museum is located on Jalan Bintaran Wetan 3, Yogyakarta. During the Dutch colonial period, this building was used as the official residence of the financial officer of Puro Paku Alam VII. During the Japanese occupation, the building was vacated and its furniture confiscated.

After Indonesia’s independence it was used as the Headquarters of the ‘Tukul’ Company of Lieutenant Colonel Suharto’s Battalion. From December 18, 1945 to December 19, 1948, it functioned as the official residence of General Sudirman, after being appointed Commander of the People’s Security Army.