Harmoko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harmoko
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Official portrait, 1992
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| 9th Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly |
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| In office 1 October 1997 – 30 September 1999 |
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| President | |
| Preceded by | Wahono |
| Succeeded by | Amien Rais |
| 12th Speaker of the People's Representative Council |
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| In office 1 October 1997 – 30 September 1999 |
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| President |
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| Preceded by | Wahono |
| Succeeded by | Akbar Tandjung |
| 6th General Chairman of Golkar | |
| In office 24 October 1993 – 11 July 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Wahono |
| Succeeded by | Akbar Tandjung |
| 22nd Minister of Information | |
| In office 19 March 1983 – 16 March 1997 |
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| President | Suharto |
| Preceded by | Ali Murtopo |
| Succeeded by | R. Hartono |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 February 1939 Patianrowo, Nganjuk, Oost-Java, Dutch East Indies |
| Died | 4 July 2021 (aged 82) Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Cause of death | COVID-19 |
| Resting place | Kalibata Heroes Cemetery |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouse |
Sri Romadhiyati
(m. 1972; died 2021) |
| Occupation | |
Harmoko (born February 7, 1939 – died July 4, 2021) was an Indonesian politician and journalist. He was very active during a period in Indonesia called the New Order era. He became the Speaker of the People's Representative Council from 1997 to 1999. He played a big part in President Suharto's decision to step down from power. This happened during large student protests at the end of the New Order era.
Harmoko was born in a small village in East Java. He started his career as a journalist. He worked for several newspapers during the Guided Democracy and New Order times. In 1970, he even started his own newspaper, Pos Kota, in Jakarta. He also led the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) for many years.
In 1977, Harmoko joined the People's Representative Council as a member of the ruling Golkar party. Later, he became the Minister of Information in 1983. Because of his background in journalism, he was very good at managing the government's image. He was even called the 'influencer-in-chief'. In 1993, he became the first civilian to lead the Golkar party. In 1997, he was chosen to be the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly and the People's Representative Council.
Even though he was loyal to President Suharto for many years, Harmoko surprised everyone. During widespread student protests, he publicly asked the president to resign. This happened because of the protests, and possibly because his own house was burned down. Harmoko passed away on July 4, 2021, due to COVID-19. He was buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Harmoko was born in Patianrowo Village, Nganjuk Regency, East Java, on February 7, 1939. He was the third of ten children in his family. His parents, Soeriptinah and Asmoprawiro, raised him.
He went to primary school, then junior high, and high school. Harmoko became interested in journalism and studied it in Surakarta and later in Jakarta. He also took part in a special program at the National Resilience Institute.
Journalism Career
After finishing journalism school, Harmoko began working as a journalist and cartoonist. He worked for newspapers like Harian Merdeka and Berita Merdeka. He also worked for Harian Angkatan Bersenjata and API Daily. Later, he became the editor-in-chief of a Javanese-language magazine called Merdiko. The next year, he led the Harian Mimbar Kita newspaper.
In 1970, Harmoko and his friends started their own newspaper, Pos Kota. This newspaper was made for ordinary people. It reported on daily life in Jakarta, including politics, social affairs, and crime. Pos Kota also had cartoons that showed Harmoko's thoughts on city life. This newspaper became very successful. He also helped create the Terbit newspaper.
Because of his success, Harmoko became a well-known figure in the Indonesian press. In 1970, he was chosen to lead the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) in Jakarta. He led the Jakarta branch until 1972. Then, in 1973, he became the General Chairperson of the main PWI organization. He held this position for ten years, making him the longest-serving chairperson of the PWI.
Political Career
Cabinet Minister
In 1977, Harmoko was elected to the People's Representative Council (DPR). He was a member of the ruling Golkar party. He continued to rise in the DPR and became the Chairman of the Golkar Central Executive Board. He was good at connecting with people, especially during the 1982 elections.
In 1983, Harmoko was appointed Minister of Information. This was likely because of his strong background in journalism. He served as information minister for three terms, from 1983 to 1997. During this time, he had the power to control what was published in the press. He could even stop publications from operating if they were critical of the government.
Leading Golkar and Political Change
After serving as deputy chairman, Harmoko became the chairman of the Golkar political party from 1993 to 1998. He was the first civilian to hold this important position. In June 1997, he was appointed a state minister for special affairs. Just three months later, in October 1997, he was chosen to be the chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly and the People's Representative Council. He held this role until 1999.
Even though he had been very loyal to President Suharto for many years, Harmoko made a surprising announcement. On May 18, 1998, during widespread student protests, he publicly asked President Suharto to step down within five days. This request came as a shock. It might have been because Harmoko was unhappy about being removed as information minister. It could also have been because his house in Surakarta was set on fire by protesters.
President Suharto saw Harmoko's request as a betrayal. Later, when Harmoko tried to visit Suharto in 2008, he was not allowed.
Later Life and Death
Harmoko passed away on July 4, 2021, at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital. His death was caused by COVID-19. He was buried the next day at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery. He had also been dealing with a health condition called progressive supranuclear palsy since 2013.
Honors
National Honors
Star of Mahaputera, 2nd Class (Indonesian: Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana)
Star of the Republic of Indonesia Main (Indonesian: Bintang Republik Indonesia Utama)
Foreign Honors
Honorary Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (P.S.M.)
Images for kids
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Harmoko (left) sitting alongside President Suharto and Vice President B. J. Habibie.
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Harmoko (fourth from left) being sworn in as a functionary of the General Elections Institution.
