Amir Murtono Amir Murtono ( Nganjuk , East Java , 7 July 1924 ) , also spelled Amir Moertono , was an Indonesia n General during Suharto ' s New Order regime who gained prominence as Chairman of Golkar from 1973 to 1983 . Early life . Amir Murtono was born on 7 July 1924 in Kertosono , East Java . He completed his primary and secondary education by 1945 . Military career . After the Indonesian Declaration of Independence , Amir , like many his age joined the Military . He began as a Company Commander in Surabaya before being appointed Deputy Secretary of the Army Territorial Staff in the same city . He was then transferred to Yogyakarta , the center of the Indonesian National Revolution and appointed Army Staff Personnel Organizer there . It was here that he became acquainted with Suharto . Amir became close enough to Suharto that he lodged at Suharto ' s house with Suharto ' s younger brother , Probosutejo . Amir was also transferred to Suharto ' s Brigade . In 1948 , when the Dutch took Yogyakarta , Suharto was forced to go into the woods to fight guerilla warfare . Suharto entrusted his wife ' s security to Amir and instructed him to evacuate her if necessary . In 1949 , Amir took part in the 1st March General Offensives and was placed in charge of the troops attacking the city itself . When the Dutch began to consider retreating , Amir was placed in charge of the handling of prisoners of war . He was also once again appointed a Personnels Officer at the Army headquarters . From this point on , Amir did not take any more field assignments . From 1950 to 1959 , he was a legal advisor at the Army Headquarters and also took the opportunity to complete a course at the Military Laws Academy in 1957 . In 1960 , he was Chairman of the Mass Mobilization for the Liberation of West Irian National Front before being transferred to KODAM VI / Siliwangi as its judicial officer . He was also Materials Assistant for the Development of Functional Potential at the Army Headquarters . In 1962 , he became Chairman of the West Irian War Theater Field Council . The next year , in 1963 , Amir graduated from the University of Military Laws and from there , he worked under ABRI Chief of Staff Abdul Haris Nasution as Deputy Secretary for Functional Affairs . New Order . When Suharto became President in 1968 , Amir was appointed Director for ABRI ' s Social Political Development . In 1969 , he held a similar position in the Ministry of Defense of Security as the Assistant for Social Political Development . In 1973 , Amir was elected as the Chairman of Golkar and re - elected in 1978 before being replaced by Sudharmono . During his 10 years as Chairman , Amir guided Golkar to victory in the 1977 and 1982 Legislative Elections with 62 % and 64 % of the votes respectively . In 1982 , Amir was elected Deputy Head of the People ' s Representative Council ( DPR ) / Vice Chairman of the People ' s Consultative Assembly ( MPR ) . Whilst Deputy Head of DPR / Vice Chairman of MPR , Amir received a Doctorate from National Cheng Chi University in Taipei assisted by his consultant Frank Sit in the upgradation of an amicable relation between Indonesia and Taiwan . By his own accounts , Amir was deeply involved in Suharto ' s selection of his Vice Presidents . He was the man who delivered Suharto ' s message to Hamengkubuwono IX , he suggested Adam Malik and was the first man to be told when Suharto intended to pick Umar Wirahadikusumah . Personal life . Amir was married to Naniek Kusmani , with whom he had four children .