Jakarta, IO – Solihin Gautama Purwanegara, affectionately known as Mang Ihin, a respected figure and former West Java governor serving from 1970 to 1975 breathed his last breath today, Tuesday (5/3), at 3.09am WIB.
The founder of the Sunda Tatar Forestry and Environmental Monitoring Council (DPKLTS) died at the age of 97 while being treated at the Adventist Hospital, Bandung City, per Tempo.
DPKLTS spokesperson Taufan Suranto said he will be buried at the Cikutra Heroes Cemetery at 1.30pm WIB. “The deceased’s body will be taken to the extended family’s house on Jalan Cisitu Indah, Dago, Bandung at 7am WIB then transported to Mako II Kodam III Siliwangi on Jalan Sumbawa Number 22 Bandung at around 9.30am,” he explained.
Solihin GP was born in Tasikmalaya on July 21, 1926 to Haji Abdulgani Poerwanegara and Siti Ningrum. He came from a Sundanese noble family. Before taking up many roles in West Java, he was an officer with the rank of lieutenant general at Siliwangi Regional Military Command III. While he was still at school, he fought the Dutch during the First Military Aggression that started in 1947.
He also fought against the communist rebellion in Madiun 1948 and the Darul Islam/Indonesian Islamic Army (DI/TII) rebel groups. When he was Assistant II for the Siliwangi Regional Military Command, he was scolded and spat at by residents because he was considered incompetent in dealing with DI/TII which caused the community to suffer.
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This incident became part of the evaluation of the defeat of the Siliwangi army until the war strategy was changed to total people’s defense doctrine. Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Solihin was then appointed as Governor of the Army Military Academy on July 15, 1968, at the age of 42.
Before retiring from his position, President Soeharto appointed him as Governor of West Java in 1970. According to ksp.go.id, one of Mang Ihin’s greatest achievement was when he managed to overcame the food crisis during his tenure and his lifelong advocacy for the rights of farmers. (un)