20 Facts About Maraden Panggabean

Maraden Saur Halomoan Panggabean was a prominent Indonesian general during the early years of General Suharto's New Order regime.

In 1942, with the arrival and subsequent occupation of Indonesia by the Japanese Imperial Army, Maraden Panggabean left the field of education.

Maraden Panggabean first trained to become a civil servant under the Japanese Occupational Government although he would soon be interested in taking on a military career.

Maraden 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.

In 1957, Maraden Panggabean took the opportunity for further military education at the Infantry Officers Advanced Course in the United States.

Maraden Panggabean then received his first assignment out of Sumatra as a military court judge in Makassar, Sulawesi.

Suharto seemed to have remembered Maraden Panggabean and appointed him as a staff member with the position of second deputy.

In July 1966, the position of Deputy Army Commander was created and Maraden Panggabean was appointed to the position to assist Suharto with his increasing workload.

Two years later, in 1971, Suharto reshuffled the Cabinet and Maraden Panggabean became Deputy Commander in addition to becoming State Minister assisting the President in matters of Defense and Security.

Maraden Panggabean reached the pinnacle of his military career in 1973 when he became Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces in addition to becoming Minister of Defense and Security.

Malik wanted ASEAN to only be about economic cooperation whilst Maraden Panggabean wanted ASEAN to be about security cooperation.

In 1973, Maraden Panggabean became a member of the Golkar Executive Board before becoming Chairman of the Executive Board in 1974.

Maraden Panggabean served in this position until 1978 when Suharto replaced him in the position.

Nevertheless, Maraden Panggabean was retained as vice chairman of the executive board and served as the day-to-day chairman until 1988.

Maraden Panggabean served as Minister until 1983 when he was appointed Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council.

When his term ended in 1988, Maraden Panggabean retired from politics.

In 1985, Maraden Panggabean became Advisory Chairman for the Joint Organization of Batak Tradition and Culture.

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

Maraden Panggabean was married to Meida Seimima Tambunan with whom he had four children, one son and three daughters.

Maraden Panggabean was of Batak ethnicity and was a Protestant.