Pak Wismoyo Arismunandar was a commander who had a significant influence on Prabowo Subianto. His teachings about always thinking good, doing good, and speaking well had a lasting impact on Prabowo. Pak Wismoyo emphasized the importance of not thinking badly of others, a value that Prabowo found to be very useful and aligned with Indonesian and TNI culture.
One of the key teachings of Pak Wismoyo was that brave men must be happy and that a leader must comfort his men through various activities like singing, sports, and group activities. He believed in creating a happy atmosphere and encouraged leaders to participate in activities with their troops, even if they were not particularly good at them.
Prabowo first met Pak Wismoyo when he joined KOPASSANDHA, where Pak Wismoyo served as the Deputy Assistant for Security. Over time, Prabowo got to know him better, and he found Pak Wismoyo to be a commander who valued good spirits and humor. Pak Wismoyo’s philosophy of creating a happy environment and his motto “discipline is my breath, loyalty is my soul, honor is everything” resonated with Prabowo and influenced his leadership style.
Pak Wismoyo was known for his forgiveness and giving second chances to those who made mistakes. He often cited Pak Harto’s advice about not being arrogant and emphasized the importance of not speaking ill of others. He also led by example, participating in training exercises despite his injuries and encouraging others to excel in marksmanship.
One incident that stood out to Prabowo was when Pak Wismoyo emphasized the importance of being close to God before embarking on a dangerous operation. This reminder about the spiritual aspect of leadership stuck with Prabowo and underscored the importance of being not only physically but also mentally and spiritually prepared for challenges.
Overall, Prabowo learned valuable lessons from Pak Wismoyo about creating a happy and spirited environment, being forgiving and humble, and always striving to be the best leader possible. His teachings and examples continue to influence Prabowo in his leadership roles, including in GERINDRA.