Iskandar Ramis
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Short description|Indonesian military officer and politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
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| name = Iskandar Ramis
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| image = Iskandar Ramis, Yudhagama 1991.jpg
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| order = Vice Governor of Bengkulu
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| term_start = 9 January 1996
| term_end = 9 January 2001
| predecessor = Usup Supriyadi
| successor = Muhammad Syamlan
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|07|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = Curup, Rejang Lebong, Indonesia
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| allegiance = {{flag|Indonesia}}
| branch = Indonesian Army
| serviceyears = 1970–1999
| rank =Brigadier general
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Iskandar Ramis (born 25 July 1946) is an Indonesian military officer and politician who served as the vice governor of Bengkulu from 1996 to 2001.
Early life and military career
Iskandar was born on 25 July 1946 in Curup, a small town in the Bengkulu region.{{Cite book|url=https://onesearch.id/Record/IOS7012.slims-1441|title=Tokoh Bengkulu Tentang 1 Abad Muhammadiyah|publisher=PWM B-Press|year=2010|editor-last=Syaifullah|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214163222/https://onesearch.id/Record/IOS7012.slims-1441|url-status=live}} Iskandar entered the National Military Academy after graduating from high school and began his military career as a second lieutenant in 1970.{{Cite web|title=ALUMNI - 1970|url=http://www.akmil.ac.id/23.php3|website=Akademi Militer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010222063027/http://www.akmil.ac.id/23.php3|archive-date=22 February 2001|access-date=10 September 2021|url-status=live}} He held various commands in the Indonesian Army, including the 621th Manuntung Infantry Battalion, from 1985 until 1986.{{Cite web|date=24 November 2012|title=Kesatuan » Batalyon Infanteri 621/Manuntung|url=https://korem101antasari.mil.id/sat/yonif-621-mt/|website=Korem 101 Antasari|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214163219/https://korem101antasari.mil.id/sat/yonif-621-mt/|url-status=dead}} Iskandar also studied at the University of Indonesia and obtained a Master of Science degree from the university in 1995.{{Cite thesis |title=Implementasi wawasan nusantara menghadapi perkembangan geopolitik negara-negara di Asia Pasifik|url=http://lib.ui.ac.id/detail?id=80716&lokasi=lokal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214162851/http://lib.ui.ac.id/detail?id=80716&lokasi=lokal |archive-date=14 December 2021|access-date=14 December 2021|website=University of Indonesia}} After that, Iskandar pursued further military studies for a few months at the Indonesian Armed Forces Staff and Command School (Sesko ABRI).{{Cite news|date=10 January 1996|title=Sari Berita Sosial-Politik: Gubernur dan Wagub, Wajar Beda Pendapat|url=http://www.kompasdata.id/Search/NewsDetail/18381904|work=Kompas|page=11|access-date=14 December 2021|url-access=subscription}}
When Iskandar was sworn in as vice governor, he was still active in the military with the rank of colonel. He was promoted to brigadier general on 1 October 1996.{{Cite news|date=October 1996|title=Daftar Nama Karyawan ABRI yang Naik Pangkat ke dalam Gol Pati Periode 1-10-1996 Vide Keppres RI No. 49/ABRI/1996 Tgl 27-9-1996|page=72|work=Mimbar Kekaryaan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kOqU7oSy1_kC&pg=RA1-PA72|access-date=14 December 2021|last1=Angkatan Bersenjata|first1=Indonesia|archive-date=27 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227110218/https://books.google.com/books?id=kOqU7oSy1_kC&pg=RA1-PA72|url-status=live}} Following the armed forces internal reformation that occurred in 1998, active military officers were banned from holding political offices, and Iskandar was retired from the military in 1999.{{Cite news|date=14 November 1999|title=Sang "Jenderal Menteri" Belum Juga Pensiun|work=Tempo|url=https://majalah.tempo.co/read/nasional/97874/sang-jenderal-menteri-belum-juga-pensiun|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214192025/https://majalah.tempo.co/read/nasional/97874/sang-jenderal-menteri-belum-juga-pensiun|url-status=live}}
Vice governor of Bengkulu
Shortly after finishing studying at Sesko ABRI, Iskandar was appointed as the vice governor of Bengkulu. He was installed on 9 January 1996, along with two other vice governors, by Minister of Home Affairs Yogie Suardi Memet.{{Cite news|date=March 1996|title=Mendagri Lantik Dua Wagub|page=62|work=Mimbar Kekaryaan|issue=303|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X5aTUCvjQwMC&pg=RA5-PA62|access-date=14 December 2021|last1=Angkatan Bersenjata|first1=Indonesia|archive-date=27 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227104301/https://books.google.com/books?id=X5aTUCvjQwMC&pg=RA5-PA62|url-status=live}}
Following the 2000 Enggano earthquake, Iskandar headed the earthquake's relief task force.{{Cite news|date=6 June 2000|title=Aid shortage in Sumatra quake zone|work=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/780047.stm|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214170018/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/780047.stm|url-status=live}} Iskandar described that the main problem for the survivors was clean water access, as water pipes had already been damaged during the earthquake.{{Cite news|date=12 June 2000|title=Indonesian government apologises to earthquake-hit residents|work=Deutsche Presse-Agentur|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/indonesia/indonesian-government-apologises-earthquake-hit-residents|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214170018/https://reliefweb.int/report/indonesia/indonesian-government-apologises-earthquake-hit-residents|url-status=live}}
Political career
After his term as vice governor ended, Iskandar continued to be involved in local Bengkulu politics. He led the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono campaign team in Bengkulu in the 2004{{Cite news|last=Mulyadi|first=Agus|date=28 May 2004|title=Figur Menentukan Suara di Bengkulu: Pemilihan Presiden 2004|work=Kompas|url=http://www.kompasdata.id/Search/NewsDetail/18471104|access-date=15 December 2021}} and 2009 presidential election.{{Cite news|date=21 June 2009|title=Pilpres|work=Antara|url=https://www.antarafoto.com/mudik/v1245579520/pilpres|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214235759/https://www.antarafoto.com/mudik/v1245579520/pilpres|url-status=live}} After Yudhoyono won the presidency, Iskandar became a high-ranking official of the Bengkulu branch of the Democratic Party.{{Cite web|date=2012|title=Surat Keputusan Dewan Pimpinan Pusat Partai Demokrat|url=https://www.kpu.go.id/koleksigambar/Prov_Bengkulu23072015.pdf|access-date=15 December 2021|website=Partai Demokrat|archive-date=15 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315023523/https://www.kpu.go.id/koleksigambar/Prov_Bengkulu23072015.pdf|url-status=live}} Ramis also ran as a candidate for the People's Representative Council from the party in the 2009 Indonesian legislative election but lost to the top most candidate from the party list.{{Cite web|title=Brigjen Tni (Purn) Iskandar Ramis Sip, MSi|url=http://www.pemilu.asia/?c=54&opt=20&s=107&y=2009&id=109870|access-date=14 December 2021|website=Pemilu.asia|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214175046/http://www.pemilu.asia/?c=54&opt=20&s=107&y=2009&id=109870|url-status=live}}
During the 2019 presidential election between Prabowo Subianto and the incumbent Joko Widodo, Iskandar led Prabowo Subianto's campaign team in Bengkulu.{{Cite news|date=9 February 2019|title=Sandiaga Uno: Mari Kita Sambut Indonesia Adil dan Makmur|work=Bengkulu Interaktif|url=https://www.bengkuluinteraktif.com/sandiaga-uno-mari-kita-sambut-indonesia-adil-dan-makmur|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214235758/https://www.bengkuluinteraktif.com/sandiaga-uno-mari-kita-sambut-indonesia-adil-dan-makmur|url-status=live}} Prabowo lost the election in Bengkulu as well as at a national level.{{cite web|author1=Dian Maharani|author2=Deytri Robekka Aritonang|date=22 July 2014|title=Ini Hasil Resmi Rekapitulasi Suara Pilpres 2014|url=https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2014/07/22/20574751/Ini.Hasil.Resmi.Rekapitulasi.Suara.Pilpres.2014?page=all|work=Kompas.com|language=id|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214235753/https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2014/07/22/20574751/Ini.Hasil.Resmi.Rekapitulasi.Suara.Pilpres.2014?page=all|url-status=live}}
Later life
Aside from being involved in politics, Iskandar owns a gas station{{Cite news|date=14 May 2010|title=Pengusaha SPBU Bengkulu Keluhkan Pasokan Kurang|work=Antara News|url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/186711/pengusaha-spbu-bengkulu-keluhkan-pasokan-kurang|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215002038/https://www.antaranews.com/berita/186711/pengusaha-spbu-bengkulu-keluhkan-pasokan-kurang|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Rachman|first=Taufik|date=22 June 2011|title=Pertamina Berlakukan Pembatasan BBM di Bengkulu|work=Republika|url=https://nasional.republika.co.id/berita/ln64lp/antara|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215002039/https://nasional.republika.co.id/berita/ln64lp/antara|url-status=live}} and a mosque{{Cite web|date=26 February 2018|title=Pemprov Resmikan Masjid Nur Faizah Bengkulu|url=https://bengkuluprov.go.id/pemprov-resmikan-masjid-nur-faizah-bengkulu/|access-date=15 December 2021|website=Provincial Government of Bengkulu|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301101140/https://bengkuluprov.go.id/pemprov-resmikan-masjid-nur-faizah-bengkulu/|url-status=live}} in Bengkulu City. Iskandar also became a leading member of the Bengkulu Customary Council,{{Cite book|last1=Refisrul|url=http://repositori.kemdikbud.go.id/10904/|title=Peran lembaga adat dalam pelestarian budaya di Kota Bengkulu Provinsi Bengkulu|last2=Yulisman|publisher=Balai Pelestarian Nilai Budaya Sumatera Barat|year=2014|location=Padang|pages=90|isbn=9786028742771|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215052123/http://repositori.kemdikbud.go.id/10904/|url-status=live}} Bengkulu Counter Terrorism Coordination Forum,{{Cite news|last=Usmin|date=20 July 2017|title=Cegah Terorisme, BNPT Libatkan Lembaga Dakwah dan Kampus|work=Berita Satu|url=https://www.beritasatu.com/nasional/442546/cegah-terorisme-bnpt-libatkan-lembaga-dakwah-dan-kampus|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215002034/https://www.beritasatu.com/nasional/442546/cegah-terorisme-bnpt-libatkan-lembaga-dakwah-dan-kampus|url-status=live}} Bengkulu Indonesian Governmental Society,{{Cite news|date=17 November 2017|title=Pengurus MIPI Bengkulu, Dilantik Wakil Ketua Pusat|work=Potret Rafflesia|url=https://www.potretraflesia.com/potret-rafflesia/pengurus-mipi-bengkulu-dilantik-wakil-ketua-pusat/|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215001248/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3A_V1Yl1kWs24J%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.potretraflesia.com%2Fpotret-rafflesia%2Fpengurus-mipi-bengkulu-dilantik-wakil-ketua-pusat%2F+&cd=79&hl=id&ct=clnk&gl=id|archive-date=15 December 2021}} and Bengkulu Union of Hajj Brotherhood.{{Cite web |url=https://bengkulu.kemenag.go.id/file/file/informasipenting/IPHI2.pdf |title=SK Pengurus Pusat Ikatan Persaudaraan Haji Indonesia Nomor 43/Skep/PP-IPHI/XII/2017 |access-date=15 December 2021 |archive-date=15 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215002036/https://bengkulu.kemenag.go.id/file/file/informasipenting/IPHI2.pdf |url-status=dead }}
Iskandar was brought to the emergency department while making calamansi juice in 2014. He accidentally spilled ice water from the fridge, causing him to slip and strike his head on a wall. Iskandar had to receive several stitches in his head after the accident.{{Cite news|last=Azhar|first=Rajman|date=10 November 2014|title=Terpeleset, Mantan Wagub Masuk IGD|work=Bengkulu Ekspres|url=https://bengkuluekspress.com/terpeleset-mantan-wagub-masuk-igd/|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215003303/https://bengkuluekspress.com/terpeleset-mantan-wagub-masuk-igd/|url-status=live}}