The Media Should Also Provide Solutions

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2004-2009 and 2014-2019 periods, M Jusuf Kalla, as the inspector of the funeral ceremony of Kompas Gramedia founder Jakob Oetama at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta, on Thursday (10/9/2020).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Kompas Gramedia cofounder Jakob Oetama was laid to rest at Jakarta’s Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in a state funeral on Thursday (10/9/2020). His thoughts and attitudes should be preserved and continued.

Former vice president Jusuf Kalla acted as the inspector of the funeral ceremony at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery. Jakob received the Bintang Mahaputra Utama honorary award from the government in 1973.

Before Jakob was buried in a military funeral, the family represented by Irwan Oetama handed over his body to the state through the speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Bambang Soesatyo. The guests to the event, which was carried out with strict health protocol at the Kompas Gramedia Building in Palmerah, Jakarta, included Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy, Communications and Information Minister Johnny G Plate, the head of the National Counterterrorism Agency, Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar, as well as the secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Hasto Kristiyanto.

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Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo called Lilik Oetama, son of Jakob, to convey his condolences. "I express my deep sorrow for the passing of Pak Jakob. Hopefully his soul will be accepted by God almighty and the family will be given serenity and sincerely accept his departure," said the President. Lilik confirmed that the President had called him.

Don’t just criticize

Before his body was handed over to the state for burial, a mass was held in the lobby of the Kompas Gramedia Building. The mass led by Sindhunata SJ and Lasber Livinus Sinaga CICM.

In his sermon, Sindhunata said that Jakob never stopped being restless. This anxiety is a manifestation of a person who has never felt secure in life. "(Jakob) did not stop being anxious as long as Kompas had not become a mainstay newspaper. Newspapers that can help build and uphold the nation. He was restless because his employees had not been as prosperous as he had dreamed of," said Sindhunata.

Jakob\'s style of journalism, which politely criticized the government and provided solutions, should inspire the media industry.

According to Jusuf Kalla, Jakob was an influential member of the media and played a major role in national unity. Jakob\'s style of journalism, which politely criticized the government and provided solutions, should inspire the media industry.

"His attitude toward this nation… despite criticizing politely, he provided solutions, not (just) dealing punches. Young media people can learn and follow in his footsteps,” said Kalla.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

The mourners sprinkled flowers on the grave of Kompas Gramedia founder Jakob Oetama after the funeral ceremony was completed at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta, on Thursday (10/9/2020).

Kalla acknowledged that he had often discussions the state in the country with Jakob. From those discussions, he concluded that Jakob had a strong desire for Indonesia to become a developed nation.

"[I shared] many moments with him. He was a person who wanted to see the positive side of the nation so that this nation can progress," Kalla said.

Pluralist and egalitarian

Boy Rafli Amar remembers Jakob as a pluralist and egalitarian figure. According to him, Jakob was a figure who respected others and promoted non-discriminatory values. "Indonesia has been greatly helped by his values," said Boy.

Meanwhile, from Washington, DC, the World Bank’s managing director of Development Policy and Partnerships, Mari Elka Pangestu, also expressed her sorrow over the death of Jakob. "From the time I was a young economist until I became a minister, I always received input and insight from him. He and Kompas had always been a place for sharing ideas and also a place to receive constructive criticism and input," she said.

"I have known Jakob Oetama for a long time. Sometimes I was invited to a breakfast. For me, Jakob Oetama was a civilized person and wanted to think about progress for Indonesia with all his prudence,” said writer and journalism activist Andreas Harsono.

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According to Andreas, Jakob never wanted to justify media bans, including when Detik, Editor and Tempo were banned in 1994. At that time, Jakob, as the chief executive of the Press Council, was a witness in a lawsuit against the Information Minister for the revocation of the press publication business license (SIUPP) of Tempo magazine. Jakob said the Press Council only proposed a "warning" to the three media, not ‘murdering’ them. "This was not an easy attitude at that time," said Andreas.

Irwan also expressed his gratitude to the government for the the Bintang Mahaputra Utama honorary award given to his father in 1973.

On behalf of the family, Irwan Oetama thanked all the mourners and local residents who helped the procession from Wednesday to Thursday. Irwan also expressed his gratitude to the government for the the Bintang Mahaputra Utama honorary award given to his father in 1973.

"Goodbye, Pak. Let all the words, writings, advice that you have given us, grandchildren, colleagues and friends, become a legacy and encouragement for our next life," said Irwan. (SHR/SPW/SKA/FRD/KRN/DIV/DAN/FAI/ERK/HAR)