Soesilo Soedarman Museum, Getting To Know The General From Cilacap

Soesilo Soedarman Museum, Getting to Know the General from Cilacap

The 90s generation may not know this figure, even if you know maybe only a little info about him that you know. He was Soesilo Soedarman, a general from Cilacap who famously became a minister in the new order era.

Soesilo Soedarman was born in Nusajati Village, Maos District, Cilacap Regency on November 10, 1928. Because of the expansion of the territory, now Nusajati Village has entered Sampang District. Then he died at Harapan Kita Hospital Jakarta on December 18, 1997, and was buried in Kalibata Heroes Cemetery - Jakarta.

As a child, Soesilo Soedarman was fostered by Eyang Dipakarsa, Soesilo Soedarman's great-grandfather who was also the first founder of Gentasari Village. Eyang Dipakarsa House or known as Wisma Mbah Ageng is now the Soesilo Soedarman Museum. Precisely in Gentasari Village, Kroya District, Cilacap Regency. Wisma Mbah Ageng was built in 1899. It was made a museum following the will of Soesilo Soedarman. The museum was inaugurated in 2000 and has undergone several restorations.

What is in Soesilo Soedarman Museum?

In the Soesilo Soedarman Museum, there are many relics and photos of Soesilo Soedarman's life journey. Especially when he had a career as an Indonesian National Armed Forces, served as an ambassador, until becoming a minister. Soesilo Soedarman is also one of the best graduates of the first generation Yogyakarta military academy. That is why in the Soesilo Soedarman Museum there are many objects from the military world.

When we step in, the museum's courtyard neatly displayed aircraft, tanks, and missiles. Among them are the TNI-AU OV-10F Bronco Tactical Fighter, which was used in 1981-1982 for Operation Lightning and South China Sea Security Operations. In that year, Soesilo Soedarman served as Commander of Kolwilhan I, Sumatra and West Kalimantan.

The main building of the museum is a joglo house (a traditional Javanese house) with a spacious terrace and many pillars of teak wood. In the main building are displayed relics, clippings, and photos of Soesilo Soedarman's activities during his life. Soesilo Soedarman served as Indonesian Ambassador in the United States from 1985 to 1988. He also served as Minister of Tourism, Post, and Telecommunications from 1988 to 1993. At the latest, he became Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs in 1993 until his death.

In addition to the main building, there is also a Tri Daya Cakti room containing miniature tanks, panzers, and photographs of Soesilo Soedarman's life journey with the Indonesian National Military Land Force. If in the Swa Bhuana Paksa room themed the Indonesian National Military Air Force, in this room we can see miniatures of various aircraft. The last Tri Brata room is themed Indonesian National Police.

Since 2013, museums must function as educational facilities and have entertainment appeal. That is why behind the Soesilo Soedarman Museum built a swimming pool, library, swivel train, swing, and gamelan pendopo. So that visitors from children to adults are interested in visiting the Soesilo Soedarman Museum. (Kasih)