Endless memories of ANTARA founder Adam Malik

Adam Malik was a fighter, journalist, diplomat, and bureaucrat who left many important marks on history, both domestically and internationally. Memories of the third Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, who also founded the ANTARA News Agency, seem never-ending. Adam Malik’s contributions at both national and international levels were so significant that his name continues to be remembered and discussed from time to time. This was evident during the Malaysian National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) celebrations in Penang, Malaysia, from 19 to 21 June 2026, attended by senior journalists from Malaysia and ASEAN countries. During a dinner marking the peak of the Hawana celebrations, senior Malaysian journalist Zainoor Sulaiman suddenly recalled Adam Malik when introduced to an ANTARA representative in Kuala Lumpur. “You’re from ANTARA? I am reminded of Bapak Adam Malik,” Zainoor said. Zainoor recounted to ANTARA that from 1977 to 1980 he served as the Bureau Chief of the Malaysian news agency BERNAMA in Indonesia. During that period, Adam Malik served as Indonesia’s Foreign Minister and later as the third Vice President. “As a bureau chief for a foreign news agency, I knew Pak Adam Malik quite closely when he was still serving as Indonesia’s Foreign Minister until he became Vice President,” Zainoor recalled. With great enthusiasm, Zainoor remembered Adam Malik as a kind-hearted figure who deeply understood the needs of journalists. He never forgot the special opportunity Adam Malik gave him as the first foreign journalist permitted to conduct an interview after Adam Malik became Vice President. “I was the foreign journalist given the first interview opportunity by him,” Zainoor said. Not only that, Adam Malik once asked him to call directly if he needed confirmation regarding various issues concerning Indonesia. Such attention left a deep impression on journalists, including Zainoor.