Father of Indonesian Communication Science Alwi Dahlan Dies

The Minister of Information under President Soeharto, M Alwi Dahlan, has died.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Bapak Ilmu Komunikasi Indonesia Alwi Dahlan Tutup Usia

KOMPAS/JB SURATNO

Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono and Minister of Information Alwi Dahlan, on Saturday (2/5), after being summoned by President Soeharto, provided further press statements to clarify statements regarding reform, at the State Palace in Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — M Alwi Dahlan, Minister of Information in the VII Development Cabinet in the era of President Soeharto, died at the age of 90 in Jakarta, Wednesday (20/3/2024) at 08.15. The deceased will be buried at Sandiego Hills, Karawang, West Java.

The Professor of Communication Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia, developed communication science because he believes that communication is important in various ways, including to support national development. His contribution made him known as an Indonesian communications expert.

The late Alwi, who was the first doctor of communication science in Indonesia, was born on May 15, 1933. He is recognized as an important figure in the development of communication science in higher education, having served as a lecturer at the University of Indonesia and several other institutions of higher learning.

The deceased was known for his ability to popularize communication studies in Indonesia, particularly in areas related to development, environment, and information technology, through an eclectic perspective that views humans as key sources. This has led to significant progress in the development of the history and philosophy of communication studies.

His expertise in communication led him to be appointed by President Soeharto as the Minister of Information, although for a short period of time from March 14 to May 21, 1998. He replaced the then Minister of Information, R Hartono. He also previously served as the Head of the Agency for the Development of the Implementation of Guidelines for the Internalization and Practice of Pancasila (BP7).

For us young people, the late (forbidden word) has become a legend and a symbol that communication studies are no longer looked down upon.

During his leadership in the Department of Information, he promised to continue the good initiatives established by Hartono, one of which was to take the editor-in-chief of a problematic media publication to court. This decision was made to protect the company from the threat of suspension.

Alwi Dahlan at the time stated that he would avoid the cancellation or suspension of press publishing permit (SIUPP). There are several alternatives that can be taken instead of revoking SIUPP, namely through the professional route (PWI Honorary Council) and the legal route (civil or criminal).

He was also one of the 36 ministers of Cabinet Pembangunan VII who attended the resignation of President Soeharto and the oath taking of Vice President BJ Habibie as President on Thursday, May 21st, 1998. The atmosphere was far from bustling, instead it was quiet and slightly tense.

Academics and practitioners

The Chairman of the Central Management of the Indonesian Communication Scholars Association (PP ISKI), Dadang Rahmat Hidayat, said that the late Alwi Dahlan, who was the founder and Chairman of the Central Advisory Board of ISKI, played an important role in promoting communication science academically and practically. ISKI serves as a platform for communication academics and practitioners in Indonesia.

"He is the father of Indonesian communications as he plays a crucial role in the development of communication sciences in the country, hence the recognition and rapid growth of communication sciences today. He is able to develop it both academically and also applies it practically, especially in communication within the government or executive," said Dadang, who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Communication Sciences at the University of Padjadjaran.

DOKUMENTASI PRIBADI

The Chairman of the Indonesian Islamic Student Association (PP ISKI), Dadang Rahmat Hidayat (right), waits for the arrival of the late M Alwi Dahlan's body, who is also a founder of ISKI, at Sandiego Hills in Karawang, West Java, on Wednesday (20/3/2024).

Dadang remembers the message delivered during his second-term inauguration as the Chairman of PP ISKI in 2022, urging academicians to develop communication science theories and knowledge from an Indonesian perspective, as a contribution towards the development of communication science globally. He also happily shared his views on the challenges faced in developing communication science in the digital technology era, despite technical difficulties at times while delivering presentations via Zoom.

"For us who are young, the late [person being referred to] becomes a legend and a spirit that communication studies are no longer looked down upon," said Dadang.

When delivering an online stadium generale held by FISIP, University of Indonesia, Alwi said that there are two things that cannot be missed in human life, namely breathing and communicating. “If you pay attention, communication is full of perspective problems. Well, this perspective depends on depth and changes depending on time. This needs to be understood. The problem is that communication does not always lie in the hands of the communication person. This perspective question is important to study in the communication science doctoral program. "Because perspective is what shapes communication," explained Alwi.

Alwi exemplified, when there is a threat of danger from the Covid-19 disease, communication persons or institutions immediately react by finding ways to persuade society to take care of themselves and prevent transmission. "However, there is another problem, we not only have a perspective on something but in the practice of communication science, there is a perspective that is not weighed in. After reporting Covid-19 victims, immediately there are strategies that are considered good, which are named hoaxes," said Alwi.