Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Who was Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono?
Sixth President of Indonesia (2004-2014) and former military general who was the first directly elected president in Indonesian history.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, born September 9, 1949, in East Java, Indonesia, was the sixth President of Indonesia from 2004 to 2014 and was the country's first directly elected president. Often referred to by his initials SBY, he started as a military officer and became a general before moving into politics. He received military education from places like the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Webster University, and programs at Fort Benning, including Airborne School and Ranger School. He also studied at the Indonesian Military Academy, IPB University, and Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology.
Yudhoyono's political career picked up speed when he served as the 8th and 10th Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2001 to 2004 under different governments. His experience in military and security matters made him a strong candidate during Indonesia's move towards democracy. In 2004, he started the Democratic Party of Indonesia and won the presidential election against incumbent Megawati Sukarnoputri in the first direct presidential election. He began his presidency on October 20, 2004, with Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
As president, Yudhoyono focused on resolving conflicts and international diplomacy. One of his significant achievements was ending the Aceh insurgency, a separatist conflict that had lasted from 1976 to 2005. This success earned him the title "Father of Peace" and showed his skill in resolving long-running conflicts through diplomacy. His administration also highlighted Indonesia's role in regional and global matters, with the country taking part in many international peace efforts.
Yudhoyono was re-elected in 2009 with Boediono as his running mate, winning a majority in the first round of voting and starting his second term on October 20, 2009. During his presidency, Indonesia's influence in Southeast Asia grew, and he led the 18th and 19th ASEAN Summits in 2011. His work in environmental and sustainable development earned international recognition when he received the Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. After his presidency, he remained active in global governance, serving as president of the Assembly and chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute.
Before Fame
Born into post-independence Indonesia during a time of major political and social change, Yudhoyono grew up during the peak of the Suharto regime's New Order. Choosing a military career early on showed how important the armed forces were in Indonesian politics and governance at the time. The military path provided ambitious young men with opportunities for education and advancement, which Yudhoyono took full advantage of through domestic and international military schooling.
His extensive training in the United States, including advanced programs at Fort Benning and Webster University, gave him insight into Western military practices and democratic governance. This international perspective, along with his technical education at Indonesian institutions, prepared him for the complex task of leading a varied archipelagic country. His climb through the military ranks happened as Indonesia began moving toward democratic reforms in the late 1990s, positioning him to connect the military and civilian democratic governance.
Key Achievements
- First directly elected President of Indonesia, winning both 2004 and 2009 elections
- Successfully negotiated the end of the 29-year Aceh insurgency in 2005
- Chaired the 18th and 19th ASEAN Summits in 2011, strengthening regional cooperation
- Founded the Democratic Party of Indonesia and served as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
- Received the Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award for environmental leadership in 2014
Did You Know?
- 01.He received honorary doctorates from prestigious Asian universities including Keiō University in Japan and Tsinghua University in China in 2012
- 02.He completed both Airborne School and the elite Ranger School at Fort Benning, making him one of the few world leaders with specialized military training
- 03.He was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath by the United Kingdom, one of the highest honors given to foreign dignitaries
- 04.He served as chairman of his own political party, the Democratic Party of Indonesia, from 2014 to 2020 after completing his presidency
- 05.He received the Grand Order of Mugunghwa from South Korea, reflecting his strong diplomatic ties across Asia
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Adhi Makayasa | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath | — | — |
| Star of the Republic of Indonesia | — | — |
| Bintang Mahaputera | — | — |
| Order of the Crown of the Realm | — | — |
| Family Order of Laila Utama | — | — |
| Darjah Utama Temasek | — | — |
| doctor honoris causa of Keiō University | — | — |
| honorary doctor of the Tsinghua University | 2012 | — |
| Grand Order of Mugunghwa | — | — |
| Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia | 2010 | — |
| Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud | — | — |
| Order of Sikatuna | — | — |
| Tatler 500 Indonesia | — | — |
| honorary doctorate | — | — |