Jakarta, March 29 -- Indonesia's sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), mourned the passing of former defense minister Juwono Sudarsono, acknowledging his role in bridging the military and civilian spheres during the 1998 Reform movement.

Speaking after paying his respects at the Defense Ministry headquarters, SBY remembered Sudarsono as a University of Indonesia scholar whose insights enriched discussions on international relations and defense.

"Mr. Juwono shared my conviction that the military should return to its proper role as a dependable defense institution, not engaging in political affairs, during my military service in the 1998 era," he told the press on Sunday.

The former president highlighted that their relationshi...