Umar Wirahadikusumah

Umar Wirahadikusumah (10 October 1924 – 21 March 2003) was an Indonesian politician and former army general, who served as the fourth vice president of Indonesia, serving from 1983 until 1988.

Umar Wirahadikusumah was born in Situraja, Sumedang, West Java on 10 October 1924, to a noble family.

His father, Raden Rangga Wirahadikusumah, was the Wedana of Ciawi, and Tasikmalaya.

While his mother, Raden Ratnaringrum, was the daughter of Patih Demang Kartamenda in Bandung.

He entered the military in 1943, during the Japanese occupation.

He would go on to serve in the Indonesian Army during and after the Indonesian National Revolution, seeing combat in the Madiun Affair and the PRRI rebellion.

After hearing about the kidnapping of six Generals and seeing unidentified troops occupying the Merdeka Square, Umar sent word to Kostrad Commander, Major General Suharto of the events that had just unfolded and requested his assistance.

Umar accepted Suharto's decision to assume command of the Army and supported him in his efforts to crack down on the attempted coup, gaining great trust from Suharto.

In 1943, with Indonesia now under Japanese Occupation, Umar enlisted with youth groups operating under the supervision of the Japanese Occupational Government.

These youth groups provided some physical training which Umar undertook.

This was followed in October 1944 by PETA, an auxiliary force consisting of Indonesian recruits that was intended to assist the Japanese in fighting the Allies.

When Indonesia declared its Independence, Umar, like many other youths of similar age joined the TKR (The People's Security Soldiers), the forerunner to the TNI.

After the Indonesian National Revolution in which the fledgling nation successfully prevented the Dutch from reoccupying them, Umar served in the Army.

Umar served for a long time in Kodam VI/Siliwangi (Siliwangi Division) which was stationed in his native province of West Java.

He worked his way up the ranks, participating in a crackdown of the Communists in 1948 as well as fighting the PRRI rebellion in Sumatra.

He was also at one time, the adjutant of AH Nasution when the latter held the position of Kodam VI/Siliwangi Commander.

In 1959, Umar was trusted as the Commander of Kodam V/Jaya and he was now in charge of security around Jakarta.

On the morning of 1 October 1965, six Generals were kidnapped from their houses.

As the Commander of Kodam V/Jaya, Umar went around the city to check its security.

After hearing about the kidnappings and seeing the unidentified troops occupying the Merdeka Square, Umar sent word to Kostrad Commander, Major General Suharto of the events that had just unfolded and requested his assistance.

Umar accepted Suharto's decision to assume command of the Army and supported him in his efforts to crack down on the attempted coup.

Towards midday, Umar received a summon from President Sukarno who was suspicious at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, the place where the six Generals were taken.

Suharto was worried that this was an attempt to get Umar to Halim and have him killed.

Suharto firmly rejected the order.

As Suharto retook control of the situation in Jakarta, Umar further consolidated it.

He declared a curfew between 6 pm and 6 am and placed a watch on all of the city's newspapers.

In 1967, Umar became Deputy Army Chief of Staff before finally becoming the Army Chief of Staff himself in 1969.

Previously, he was chair of the Audit Board of Indonesia from 1973 until 1983, and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army from 1969 until 1973.

Born to a noble Sundanese family, he was educated at the Europeesche Lagere School Tasikmalaya and Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs Pasundan.

In 1973, his active military career came to an end and he became the Chairman of the State Audit Board (BPK), a position which he would hold until 1973.

In 1983, he was selected by Suharto to become vice president, a choice considered rather unexpected.

As vice president, he combated corruption and held prayer services at the vice presidential palace.

His term as vice president ended in March 1988 when he was replaced by Sudharmono.

He died on 21 March 2003, due to heart and lung problems.

His body was interred at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta.

His brothers were Hasan, Sadikin (d. 2004), Mohammad, and Achmad Wirahadikusumah.

Umar's mother died when he was a child, and he and his siblings were cared for by his grandmother, Nyi Raja Juwita, who at that time lived in Cicalengka.

After his grandmother died, his father took him to Ciawi.

While in Cicalengka, Umar entered kindergarten and elementary school at Hollandsch-Inlandsche School.

He continued his education at the Europeesche Lagere School Tasikmalaya and Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs Pasundan, and he completed his education.