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JAKARTA (JP): No longer active in the profession, Mochtar Lubis, who turns 75 years old today, still regards himself as a journalist.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