Amir Murtono
Encyclopedia
Amir Murtono also spelled Amir Moertono, was an Indonesia
n General during Suharto's New Order regime who gained prominence as Chairman of Golkar
from 1973 to 1983.
and secondary education
by 1945.
, Amir, like many his age joined the Military
. He began as a Company Commander in Surabaya
before being appointed Deputy Secretary of the Army Territorial Staff in the same city. He was then transferred to Yogyakarta, the center of the Indonesian National Revolution
and appointed Army Staff Personnel Organizer there. It was here that he became acquainted with Suharto. Amir became close enough to Suharto that he lodged at Suharto's house with Suharto's younger brother, Probosutejo. Amir was also transferred to Suharto's Brigade.
In 1948, when the Dutch
took Yogyakarta, Suharto was forced to go into the woods to fight guerilla warfare. Suharto entrusted his wife's security to Amir and instructed him to evacuate her if necessary. In 1949, Amir took part in the 1st March General Offensives and was placed in charge of the troops attacking the city itself. When the Dutch began to consider retreating, Amir was placed in charge of the handling of prisoners of war. He was also once again appointed a Personnels Officer at the Army headquarters.
From this point on, Amir did not take any more field assignments. From 1950 to 1959, he was a legal advisor at the Army Headquarters and also took the opportunity to complete a course at the Military Laws Academy in 1957. In 1960, he was Chairman of the Mass Mobilization for the Liberation of West Irian National Front before being transferred to KODAM VI/Siliwangi as its judicial officer. He was also Materials Assistant for the Development of Functional Potential at the Army Headquarters. In 1962, he became Chairman of the West Irian War Theater Field Council. The next year, in 1963, Amir graduated from the University of Military Laws and from there, he worked under ABRI Chief of Staff Abdul Haris Nasution
as Deputy Secretary for Functional Affairs.
. During his 10 years as Chairman, Amir guided Golkar to victory in the 1977 and 1982 Legislative Elections with 62% and 64% of the votes respectively. In 1982, Amir was elected Deputy Head of the People's Representative Council
(DPR)/Vice Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR). Whilst Deputy Head of DPR/Vice Chairman of MPR, Amir received a Doctorate
from Changsi University in Taiwan
By his own accounts, Amir was deeply involved in Suharto's selection of his Vice Presidents. He was the man who delivered Suharto's message to Hamengkubuwono IX, he suggested Adam Malik
and was the first man to be told when Suharto intended to pick Umar Wirahadikusumah
.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n General during Suharto's New Order regime who gained prominence as Chairman of Golkar
Golkar
The Party of the Functional Groups is a political party in Indonesia. It is also known as Sekber Golkar . It was the ruling party during Suharto's regime...
from 1973 to 1983.
Early life
Amir Murtono was born on 7 July 1924 in Kertosono, East Java. He completed his primaryPrimary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
by 1945.
Military career
After the Indonesian Declaration of IndependenceIndonesian Declaration of Independence
The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read at 10.00 a.m. on Friday, August 17, 1945. The declaration marked the start of the diplomatic and armed-resistance of the Indonesian National Revolution, fighting against the forces of the Netherlands until the latter officially acknowledged...
, Amir, like many his age joined the Military
Military of Indonesia
The Indonesian National Armed Forces in 2009 comprises approximately 432,129 personnel including the Army , Navy including the Indonesian Marine Corps and the Air Force ....
. He began as a Company Commander in Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
before being appointed Deputy Secretary of the Army Territorial Staff in the same city. He was then transferred to Yogyakarta, the center of the Indonesian National Revolution
Indonesian National Revolution
The Indonesian National Revolution or Indonesian War of Independence was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between Indonesia and the Dutch Empire, and an internal social revolution...
and appointed Army Staff Personnel Organizer there. It was here that he became acquainted with Suharto. Amir became close enough to Suharto that he lodged at Suharto's house with Suharto's younger brother, Probosutejo. Amir was also transferred to Suharto's Brigade.
In 1948, when the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
took Yogyakarta, Suharto was forced to go into the woods to fight guerilla warfare. Suharto entrusted his wife's security to Amir and instructed him to evacuate her if necessary. In 1949, Amir took part in the 1st March General Offensives and was placed in charge of the troops attacking the city itself. When the Dutch began to consider retreating, Amir was placed in charge of the handling of prisoners of war. He was also once again appointed a Personnels Officer at the Army headquarters.
From this point on, Amir did not take any more field assignments. From 1950 to 1959, he was a legal advisor at the Army Headquarters and also took the opportunity to complete a course at the Military Laws Academy in 1957. In 1960, he was Chairman of the Mass Mobilization for the Liberation of West Irian National Front before being transferred to KODAM VI/Siliwangi as its judicial officer. He was also Materials Assistant for the Development of Functional Potential at the Army Headquarters. In 1962, he became Chairman of the West Irian War Theater Field Council. The next year, in 1963, Amir graduated from the University of Military Laws and from there, he worked under ABRI Chief of Staff Abdul Haris Nasution
Abdul Haris Nasution
In this Indonesian name, the name "Nasution" is a family name, and the person should be referred to by the family name "Nasution".Abdul Haris Nasution was an Indonesian general who was twice appointed Army Chief of Staff and who escaped an assassination attempt during the...
as Deputy Secretary for Functional Affairs.
New Order
When Suharto became President in 1968, Amir was appointed Director for ABRI's Social Political Development. In 1969, he held a similar position in the Ministry of Defense of Security as the Assistant for Social Political Development. In 1973, Amir was elected as the Chairman of Golkar and re-elected in 1978 before being replaced by SudharmonoSudharmono
Sudharmono was Indonesia's fifth vice president, and was in office during the period 1988 - 1993.-Early life:...
. During his 10 years as Chairman, Amir guided Golkar to victory in the 1977 and 1982 Legislative Elections with 62% and 64% of the votes respectively. In 1982, Amir was elected Deputy Head of the People's Representative Council
People's Representative Council
The People's Representative Council , sometimes referred to as the House of Representatives, is one of two elected national legislative assemblies in Indonesia....
(DPR)/Vice Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly
People's Consultative Assembly
The People's Consultative Assembly is the legislative branch in Indonesia's political system. It is composed of the members of the People's Representative Council and the Regional Representative Council. Before 2004, and the amendments to the 1945 Constitution, the MPR was the highest governing...
(MPR). Whilst Deputy Head of DPR/Vice Chairman of MPR, Amir received a Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
from Changsi University in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
By his own accounts, Amir was deeply involved in Suharto's selection of his Vice Presidents. He was the man who delivered Suharto's message to Hamengkubuwono IX, he suggested Adam Malik
Adam Malik
Adam Malik Batubara was Indonesia's third vice president, a senior diplomat, and one of the pioneers of Indonesian journalism.-Early life:...
and was the first man to be told when Suharto intended to pick Umar Wirahadikusumah
Umar Wirahadikusumah
was the fourth Indonesian Vice President; he served from 1983 to 1988.-Early life:Umar Wirahadikusumah was born on 10 October 1924 to Raden Rangga Wirahadikusumah and Raden Ratnaringrum...
.