Pak Harto was a hardworking, disciplined, and meticulous person. I had the privilege of witnessing his daily routine. He would wake up very early in the morning and arrive at the office promptly at 08:00 am. One of his notable qualities was his neat handwriting and excellent memory, known as photographic memory. He was also proficient with numbers and was an avid reader. Pak Harto strongly encouraged the study of science and technology, even abroad, despite not having been educated abroad himself.
I became Pak Harto’s son-in-law in 1983. By that time, I had already served in the military and participated in operations in East Timor. During my time as Commander of the 328 Battalion, I visited Pak Harto, who shared his experiences in forming and training combat units. His detailed recollections were truly remarkable, considering it had been many years since he had commanded army units.
Pak Harto had a profound understanding of Javanese philosophy and history, and often incorporated these teachings into his leadership style. His book, Butir-Butir Budaya Jawa (Javanese Cultural Maxim), contained valuable insights that helped to understand the Indonesian cultural background.
During an occasion when my battalion was ordered to carry out operations in East Timor, Pak Harto summoned me to his residence and provided me with three pieces of advice: ojo lali, ojo dumeh, ojo ngoyo. These words carried significant meaning for me as a military commander, coming from someone with extensive combat experience.
Pak Harto’s involvement in various military operations, including the General Offensive of March 1, the Andi Azis rebellion in Sulawesi, the West Irian liberation, and the suppression of the G30S/PKI communist rebellion, gave weight to his advice. His words served as a guide for me and my battalion as we carried out our mission.
