Sociologist Sardjono Jatiman dies of liver failure

Noted sociologist Sardjono Jatiman, known for his studies on poverty, died early on Friday morning of liver disease at Ongko Mulyo Hospital in Pulomas, East Jakarta. He was 60.

The death of Sardjono brings to a close a life that was both fruitful and filled with the spirit of helping those people left behind by development.

"He gave remarkable attention to the urban poor. In these past three to four years, his work has been outstanding, such as his study of the restless lives of poor young people living in urban areas after the 1997 economic crisis," Juwono Sudarsono, a professor of politics at the University of Indonesia (UI) and a classmate of Sardjono, said.

In one of Sardjono's studies, it was revealed that the number of poor young people had sharply increased due to the economic crisis, and that Jakarta was home to one-fifth of the total number of students in Indonesia, Juwono said.

"We were in the class of 1960 and together set up Radio UI and were involved in various activities in 1966 and 1967. He was a populist, open and very cheerful," Juwono said.

Sardjono was born in Cimahi, West Java, on Jan. 18, 1941. He is survived by his wife, Marlini, and their two children, Juliadi Karmandito, known as Oncel, and Novara Dwiadiasti.

"I will truly miss him," Oncel said.

A senior researcher and lecturer at UI's School of Social and Political Sciences, Sardjono also taught at several other schools and institutions, including UI's School of Architecture, Trisakti University, the National Resilience Institute and the National Institute of Administration.

He graduated from UI's School of Law and Social Science in 1968, eventually receiving his doctorate in sociology from UI in 1995. He also attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1974.

"He had this great passion for people and most of his studies were related to poverty and the side effects of development," Theo Sambuaga, a legislator from Golkar Party and a former student of Sardjono, said.

"He was a genuine, neutral but keen critic. We will miss his ideas and thoughts," he said.

Attending a modest tribute for Sardjono were UI professors and students, as well as other academics, such as Paulus Wirutomo, Imam Prasodjo, Iwan Gardono Sudjatmiko, Andi Mallarangeng and Amir Santoso.

Sardjono's remains were taken to At-Taqwa Mosque near the family's residence on. Jl. Daksinapati Barat in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, before being laid to rest in Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery.

"We miss him already ... he was fun to be with and at the same time he always maintained his idealism," Paulus Wirutomo said. (edt)