At 75, Mochtar Lubis still cares for press freedom

At 75, Mochtar Lubis still cares for press freedom

By Ida Indawati Khouw

JAKARTA (JP): No longer active in the profession, Mochtar
Lubis, who turns 75 years old today, still regards himself as a
journalist.

But he is a cut above the rest.

What distinguishes him from other contemporary journalists in
Indonesia is his credo that the real mission of the people in
this profession is to fight for justice.

Mochtar, who has remained a prolific writer in spite of his
departure from journalism, has paid dearly for standing up to his
principles. He spent time in jail under President Sukarno in the
1950s; under President Soeharto, his newspaper Indonesia Raja was
closed down in 1974, and vanished forever.

Sad may be, but he has no regrets for defending what he
believes in.

"At least it will be written in the nation's history that at a
certain time, there were people brave enough to stand firmly on
their principles in opposing injustice," he said in a recent
interview at his residence on Jl. Bonang, Central Jakarta.

"There is a lesson for future generations," said Mochtar whose
book containing a compilation of his editorials from Indonesia
Raja will be launched today.

Mochtar has remained active in writing, concentrating more on
literature works than on journalism.

He is chairman of the Indonesian Obor Foundation, an
organization which publishes literary works.

Currently, he is working on a novel about today's Indonesia.

He has written several novels, a profession he developed even
as he was active in journalism. Among his greatest works include
Si Djamal, Jalan Tak Ada Ujung (Road Without End), Tak Ada Esok
(No Tomorrow), Perempuan, Perempuan (Woman, Woman), Tanah Gersang
(Sparse Land), Senja di Jakarta (Twilight in Jakarta), Harimau,
Harimau (Tiger, Tiger) and Maut dan Cinta (Death and Love).

Mochtar has also pocketed various international awards for his
writing, including Plume d'Or from the Paris-based Federation
Internationale des Editeurs de Journaux et Publications (FIEJ)
and the Magsaysay in 1958 from Manila-based Ramon Magsaysay
Foundation.

Mochtar does not think highly of contemporary journalists.

"If I was still an active journalist today, I would write more
about the common people, instead of about government officials
going on some safari which is unworthy to fill the pages of
newspapers," he said.

Despite the increasing prosperity of its people, he said
Indonesia has not achieved its goal of becoming a just and
prosperous nation.

"The gap between the rich and the poor is widening," he said.

He dismissed the notion, widely accepted and practiced by
today's journalists, that the press should remain "objective".

The press must side with the people, he said.

"The press cannot simply close their eyes to the reality.

"If one group of people are exploiting their fellow human
beings, this must be exposed by the press. If they don't, that
means they agree with the injustices," Mochtar said.

"I don't see many newspapers today fighting against
injustices. Where is that fighting spirit?" he asked.

For him, the sacrifice that he and his colleagues at Indonesia
Raja have had to endure with the permanent ban against the
newspaper was the price he had to pay in such a risky profession.

"That's the choice that a press publication must make.

"If they are not brave enough to take the risks, then they are
like sheep, going wherever they are herded," Mochtar said.

"For me, in such a situation, it is better not to be a
journalist," he said.

He had a piece of advice to new and aspiring journalists:
"Forget it if you're not ready to go to jail."

Although Mochtar spent time behind bars because of his
critical writings against President Sukarno, he recalled that
relations between the press and the government at that time were
far more cordial than they are now.

"Then, the Ministry of Information was very helpful. We were
colleagues," he said.

He remembers vividly the times when Sukarno invited
journalists and their spouses to the Presidential Palace for
dancing or listening to music.

Mochtar is still optimistic the profession will improve
someday.

"Now young journalists are more educated than we were in our
time. They have the opportunity to strengthen their
professionalism," he said.

But he does have one piece of advice to offer. "The important
thing is that journalists have a firm attitude. Remember, they
are not inferior to government officials. They have a duty and
responsibility to the people."

Mochtar said he would refuse any chance to train and educate
young journalists in accordance with his principles. "It would be
a waste of time, as long as press freedom is not guaranteed in
this country," he said.

"I'm quite content in my old age, as long as I don't hear more
news about publications being closed down," he said.