Until the Last Drop of Ink

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Historian Asvi Warman Adam (center) and Chairman II of the Indonesian Veterinary Association Board of Trustees Tri Satya Putri Naipospos (left) received the award of dedicated scholars during the celebration of the 55th Anniversary of Kompas Daily in Jakarta, Sunday (6/28/2020). The award was given by the Chief Editor of Kompas Sutta Dharmasaputra.

A milad (anniversary) celebration during a pandemic brings sorrow. But, once the ship sets sail it never returns to the shore. A corporation is like an ark that constantly sails the tide of change. "Friends in Change" was also seen as a suitable theme for Kompas’ 55th anniversary.

Kompas’ 55th anniversary celebration was broadcast live from KompasTV Studio in Jakarta on Sunday (28/6/2020), without an audience physically present. President Joko Widodo, Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin, public figures and community members shared their views and hopes for Kompas.

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The event, hosted by Daniel Mananta and Glory Oyong, covered various traditions of every Kompas anniversary. One of them is the presentation of an award for best short story. Mereka Mengeja Larangan Mengemis [They Spell the Begging Ban] by Ahmad Tohari was selected as the Best Short Story of Kompas 2019. Within a year, Kompas received 2,600 to 3,000 short stories. Throughout 2019, Kompas selected and published 51 short stories every Sunday.

A total of 20 short stories were chosen to be part of the book Kompas Selected Short Stories 2019 with one declared the best short story. Ahmad Tohari\'s short story, which was chosen this year, was strong enough to add to the splendor of the heart, and at the same time raises our sensitivity to social inequality.

Responding to the award he received, Tohari expressed hope that more young writers would write stories for Kompas. "This award is a stage that can inspire young short story writers to work harder. [Please] fill the space on Kompas page with the best work to enrich Indonesian literature," said Tohari.

The Kompas 2019 short story book also includes the work of 19 other writers from various generations. They are Seno Gumira Ajidarma, Putu Wijaya, Agus Noor, Budi Darma, Ahda Imran, Gunawan Maryanto, Yanusa Nugroho, Novka Kuaranita, Sandi Firly, Miranda Seftiana, Rizqi Tuama, Putu Oka Sukanta, Triyanto Triwikromo, Indra Tranggono, Zainul Muttaqin, Lina PW, Made Adnyana Ole, Raudal Tanjung Banua and Meutia Swarna Maharani.

Kompas also continues to be committed to appreciating intellectual people who faithfully accompany the community. They give direction (to people) amid the overabundance of information, even if they have to stick to the quiet path of knowledge. The 2020 Dedicated Intellectual Award was given to historian Asvi Warman Adam and researcher Tri Satya Putri Naipospos of the Center for Indonesian Veterinary Analytical Studies. Since its inauguration in 2008, there have been 57 recipients of this award.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS WISNU WARDHANA DANY

Thanksgiving for the 55th anniversary of Kompas Daily at Menara Kompas, Central Jakarta, Sunday (28/6/2020). Deputy Chief General Budiman Tanuredjo and Editor in Chief Sutta Dharmasaputra shook hands after cutting the cone.

Kompas deputy general manager Budiman Tanuredjo during the Satu Meja The Special Forum talk show as part of the commemoration of Kompas 55th anniversary asked Asvi and Tri about the pandemic. "A repeat of the pandemic shows the unpreparedness of the government and the community. There must be a [collective] memory for people to be ready," said Asvi.

According to Tri, the panic caused by the pandemic this time was far greater than bird flu. "Now humans get hit right away. Developed countries are not ready," she said.

"Friends in Change" was chosen as a theme based on Kompas\'s determination to accompany the reader to navigate the era of change and find direction. "For us, the reader is central. In a world flooded with irrelevant information, clarity is power," said Kompas chief editor Sutta Dharmasaputra.

Read also: ‘Kompas’ Is 55 Years Old

Since Kompas was first published on June 28, 1965, the terminology of "friends" and "change" has been closely related to the kinship of its employees. In the book Hidup Sederhana Berpikir Mulia (Simple Life with Noble Thinking) written by Helen Iswara and published by the Kompas Book Publisher in 2001, it was said that PK Ojong would often drive his employees to work.

Before 6:30 a.m., the founder of Kompas had left with his Opel Caravan. Sometimes, Kompas cofounder, Jakob Oetama, was also picked up with this vehicle. At night, Jakob and Ojong were still at the office or at the printing area. Anytime he saw an employee look as though they were not feeling well, Ojong would come and ask. Then, he or an office boy would fetch medicine.

Until finally, together with several media outlets that published reports about student demonstrations, Kompas was banned for two weeks on Jan. 21, 1978.

Kompas has not been without its ups and downs. Based on the book Syukur Tiada Akhir (Endless Gratitude) compiled by St. Sularto and published by the Kompas Book Publisher in 2015, Kompas was repeatedly reprimanded by the authorities. Until finally, together with several media outlets that published reports about student demonstrations, Kompas was banned for two weeks on Jan. 21, 1978.

That night, the day before the bans took effect, all employees kept working diligently. The next day, the reporters conducted monitoring in the field. There was no intention at all to lay off employees. After Kompas was published again on Feb. 6, 1978, Ojong and Jakob faced political pressure due to the news that although it was "neutral" there were still parties that could not accept it.

Describe the spirit

Musicians Tulus, Yura Yunita and Sri Hanuraga also enlivened Kompas’ 55th anniversary celebration. Tulus belted out his latest song, "Adaptation", which was launched at the end of May 2020. He also performed his songs about friendship, such as "Friends of Life", "Despair" and the nuances of enthusiasm in "Strong Man". As for Yura, she sang "Intuition" and "Must Be Happy". The broadcast also outlined the spirit of Friends in Change through the segmentation of the Kompas founders and adaptation to the digital era. Kompas and Kompas.id daily innovations, the launch of Kompaspedia and the journey of the Kompas Humanitarian Fund were also shown in the program which lasted about 1.5 hours until 21:30.

Hanuraga performed with Kompas reporter M Hilmi Faiq, who read a poem "Friends in Change".

I remember a friend

That never goes even though sometimes I negate

"I will accompany until the last drop of ink", he said on one occasion

You who don\'t get bored telling the truth

Boldly or desperately picking up the facts

Twisting into a candle, bright in the dark

Things that stand arrogant, you put them elegantly

You, friend in change.