Portal:Indonesia/BOTW/43, 2007

Leonardus Benjamin Moerdani (also publicly known as LB Moerdani or Benny Moerdani) (2 October 1932 - 29 August 2004) was the ABRI Commander from 1983-1988 and also served as Indonesia's Minister of Defense and Security. He is famous due to his strong stance in many decisive situations in Indonesian political and social life. He was also significant as a leader who was Catholic in  predominantly Muslim community.

Moerdani was born on 2nd October 1932 at Cepu, Central Java to R.G. Moerdani Sosrodirjo, a railway worker and Rochmaria Jeane, who was half German. After the Indonesian Declaration of Independence on 17th August 1945, Moerdani was caught up in the wave of nationalism. In October 1945, aged just 13, Moerdani took part in an assault on a Kempeitai headquarters in Solo after the Kempetai refused to surrender to the Indonesian troops.

In August 1975, Moerdani began sending Indonesian soldiers under the guise of volunteers to begin infiltrating East Timor. In March 1983, Moerdani reached the pinnacle of his Military career when Suharto named him as the Commander of ABRI and promoted him to the rank of full General. (Read more...)