The Admiral from Kampung Arab

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The American professor Donald Wilson once referred to him as “the Indispensable Man.” Admiral (retired) Sudomo was an officer who was both loyal and close to former President Suharto. His career skyrocketed after Operation Trikora and he was later so trusted that he was made Head of the Command for Maintaining Order and Security with virtually unlimited powers.

Successful in his career, Sudomo was less successful in his home life. At his home in the Pondok Indah area of South Jakarta, Sudomo told the story of his life to Tempo journalists Yandi Rofiyandi, Cheta Nilawaty and photographer Dwianto Wibowo.

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“WE have lost our navy’s best son. To ensure that his struggle was not in vain, I ask that Colonel Sudomo continue that struggle. Ready yourself to take up your duties at the West Irian Liberation Mandala Command and prepare to avenge us.”

These were the words of Admiral Raden Eddy Martadinata when he received the news that Sea Commodore Yos Sudarso had fallen in the Battle of the Arafura Sea on 15 January 1962. The Indonesian vessel RI M

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