Maraden Panggabean

Early life

Panggabean was born in Tarutung, North Sumatra, on 29 June 1922. He is from Batak ethnic group.

After completing his education, Panggabean took on work as a teacher, an occupation held in high regard in the Batak community, and even became the Principal of a school in Tarutung. In 1942, with the arrival and subsequent occupation of Indonesia by the Japanese Imperial Army, Panggabean left the field of education. He first trained to become a civil servant under the Japanese Occupational Government although he would soon be interested in taking on a military career.

Military career

In 1943, the Japanese Occupational Government formed the Defenders of the Fatherland Army (PETA) an auxiliary force consisting of Indonesians which were designed to assist the Japanese should the Allies come to invade Indonesia. Like many of his military contemporaries, Panggabean joined PETA. In Panggabean's case however, he seemed to have only manage to go through military schooling and basic training before the Japanese surrendered and nationalist leaders Sukarno and Hatta proclaimed Indonesia's Independence.

Like all other youths all around Indonesia, Panggabean was caught up in the rush to take weapons from the Japanese in preparation of the formation of a National Army. On 5 October 1945, the People's Security Army (TKR), the precursor to ABRI and later on, TNI was formed. Panggabean took up the position of military trainer at Sibolga before serving as Chief of Staff for the 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment, 10th Division in Sumatra until 1949.

Following the Indonesian National Revolution of 1945–1950, Panggabean spent the next 10 years as a regimental chief of staff at Tapanuli and as a sectoral commander in the Military Territory (TT) of North Sumatra. In 1957, Panggabean also took the opportunity for further military education at the Infantry Officers Advanced Course in the United States. In 1959, Panggabean became battalion commander before being transferred to TT II/Sriwijaya as resort commander.

Panggabean then received his first assignment out of Sumatra as a military court judge in Makassar, Sulawesi. As the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation intensified, Panggabean was appointed commander of the 2nd War Theater, with authority over the troops in Borneo. There, he developed a friendship with Suharto as the then Kostrad commander had troops stationed in Borneo.

After he cracked down on the 30 September Movement, Suharto became the commander of the Army. Suharto seemed to have remembered Panggabean and appointed him as a staff member with the position of 2nd deputy.

Supersemar controversy

Although originally not part of the events which led to the formulation of Supersemar and Suharto receiving executive power, Panggabean became part of the controversy in 1998. According to Sukardjo Wilardjito, a Presidential Bodyguard stationed at Bogor, Panggabean was present with Amirmachmud, M Jusuf, and Basuki Rahmat, the three Generals that many accounts agree to have been present when Supersemar was signed. According to Sukardjo, Panggabean, alongside Basuki held Sukarno at gunpoint while the President signed a pre-prepared Supersemar.

Military career during New Order

In July 1966, the position of Deputy Army Commander was created and Panggabean was appointed to the position to assist Suharto with his increasing workload. In 1967, Panggabean became Army Commander himself. As Army Commander, Panggabean witnessed a reorganization in ABRI which saw the Armed Services Commanders be reduced in status to Chief of Staffs under the control of an ABRI Commander; a position to be filled by Suharto himself. In 1969, Panggabean became the Commander of Kopkamtib. Two years later, in 1971, Suharto reshuffled the Cabinet and Panggabean became Deputy ABRI Commander in addition to becoming State Minister assisting the President in matters of Defense and Security .

Panggabean reached the pinnacle of his military career in 1973 when he became the ABRI Commander in addition to becoming Minister of Defense and Security. As ABRI Commander, Panggabean had differences with Minister of Foreign Affairs Adam Malik in the way in which Indonesia should approach its foreign policy in South East Asia. Malik wanted ASEAN to only be about economic cooperation whilst Panggabean wanted ASEAN to also be about security cooperation. In addition, Panggabean also wanted to send troops to assist the South Vietnamese in the Vietnam War. On this matter, Suharto sided with Malik.

In April 1978, Panggabean was discharged as ABRI Commander and Minister of Defense and Security.

Golkar

In addition to continuing his military career, Panggabean also began a political career by being involved in Golkar, the political party which Suharto had chosen as part of his re-election bid. In 1973, Panggabean became a member of the Golkar Executive Board before becoming Chairman of the Executive Board in 1974. He served in this position until 1978 when Suharto replaced him in the position. Nevertheless, Panggabean was retained as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board and served as the Day-to-Day Chairman until 1988.

Government official

After being discharged as ABRI Commander, Panggabean was named by Suharto as Coordinating Minister of Politics and Security. He served as Minister until 1983 when he was appointed Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA). When his term as DPA Chairman ended in 1988, Panggabean retired from politics.

Other activities

In 1985, Panggabean became Advisory Chairman for the Joint Organization of Batak Tradition and Culture (LPAKB). In 1989, he became a Patron of the Bona Pasogit Foundation, an organization dealing with rehabillitation of earthquake affected areas in Panggabean's native Tarutung.

Death

Panggabean in Jakarta on 22 May 2000 after suffering from stroke.

Miscellaneous

Panggabean was married to Meida Seimima Tambunan with whom he had four children.

He was of Batak ethnicity and was a Protestant.

Foreign honour