Unearthing the Legacy of R.H.O. Djoenaidi: From the Press to Pesantren

There is a name almost never mentioned in the history books of independence, even though his contributions sustained the pulse of the struggle press during the nation’s most critical times. His name is R.H.O. Djoenaidi — or fully Oene Djoenaidi, born in Tasikmalaya on 3 March 1895. He was not an orator, nor a writer of manifestos. He was a merchant. But from his pockets flowed the funds that kept alive one of the most influential media outlets of the movement era: the newspaper Pemandangan.

From Mecca to Sarekat Islam

As a teenager, around 1911–1912, the young Oene — the youngest son of Raden Hasan from Manonjaya, Tasikmalaya — was sent by his parents to Mecca Al-Mukaromah to study religion, with the hope that he would become an ulama who would teach Islam in his homeland. There, he resided at the home of Syekh Holil Ali Shohab and was known for his discipline, always securing a place in the front row for congregational prayers at the Masjidil Haram, even before the dawn call to prayer sounded.

The name ‘Djoenaidi’ attached to him was not his birth name, but a form of respect for his teacher in Mecca, Ustadz Djoenaidi — a figure who not only taught him religious knowledge but also equipped him with an understanding of society and statehood. As a sign of deep respect, Oene adopted his teacher’s name, becoming Oene Djoenaidi.

Upon returning to his homeland, he officially joined Sarekat Islam (SI) — a path that led him to a comradely friendship with H.O.S. Tjokroaminoto. This connection was so strong that Soekarno, when first setting foot in West Java, came to meet Djoenaidi based on a reference from Tjokroaminoto — who was Bung Karno’s father-in-law through his first wife, Utari. It was from this Sarekat Islam network that Djoenaidi’s lifelong commitment to the independence struggle was forged.

Beyond activism, Djoenaidi managed his father’s coconut plantation, traded textiles throughout West Java, and later expanded into rubber and lemongrass agribusiness, earning him the nickname ‘Raja Serai’ (King of Lemongrass). He also pioneered a publishing business in Galunggung, Bandung — a foundation that would later lead him to his most historic role: becoming a benefactor of the national press.

Saving Pemandangan

The turning point came in 1933. During a business trip to Batavia, Djoenaidi met journalist Saeroen, who was staying at a lodging house owned by Djoenaidi’s child. From that meeting, Djoenaidi agreed to invest a significant portion of his personal wealth to support Saeroen’s newspaper: Pemandangan.

When Saeroen later left, Djoenaidi appointed M. Tabrani — a press figure from Betawi — as editor-in-chief. As the owner, Djoenaidi was known for providing generous compensation to writers and staff, a policy that enabled Pemandangan to attract top-tier writers of the era. During this period, Pemandangan became a mouthpiece that ignited the spirit of patriotism and nationalism — a media outlet born not merely to seek profit, but to fuel the flame of independence.

Djoenaidi’s concern extended beyond the newsroom. In 1940, he raised funds through Pemandangan to repatriate Indonesian citizens stranded in Mecca due to transportation limitations during World War II — proof that his commitment to the ummah never wavered, even from afar.

However, Pemandangan’s journey was not always smooth. In 1953, the newspaper became embroiled in a state secrets case: its reporting on plans to raise civil servant salaries and foreign investment in 21 companies led to the editor-in-chief at the time, Asa Bafaqih, being put on trial for allegedly disclosing information not yet officially announced by the government. Bafaqih chose to exercise journalistic privilege and refused to reveal his sources; the investigation was eventually halted by the Attorney General in August 1953. The political pressure following this incident, combined with the economic burdens that continued to squeeze the press industry at the time, ultimately led Pemandangan to cease publication in 1958 — twenty-five years after it first appeared to voice the spirit of independence.

Navigating the Occupation and Revolution

The Japanese occupation era saw Djoenaidi take the position of deputy editor-in-chief at Asia Raja, a newspaper supported by the occupation government. However, once Indonesia declared independence, he immediately returned to the Republican side: together with Adam Malik and Soemanang, he helped establish the National Publishing Enterprise Agency and served on its board of directors.

Throughout the National Revolution, Djoenaidi maintained important connections with the republic’s leaders — a closeness that, at one point, led to his arrest by the Dutch on charges of ‘having connections with terrorist activities’. It was an irony common to those who stood on the side of independence: being branded a troublemaker by the colonisers precisely because they defended their own nation.

Djoenaidi passed away in Jakarta on 6 June 1966, after battling cancer.

A Waqf that Cultivates Civilisation

Djoenaidi’s legacy also extends into the realm of Islamic education. At his residence in Ciloto-Cipanas, he participated in a discussion forum with KH. Sholeh Iskandar and Dr. Mohammad Natsir — a dialogue that gave birth to the idea that the Muslim community needed an educational institution that not only produced devout worshippers and thinkers, but also independent, skilled human resources capable of managing agriculture as a foundation for the community’s sovereignty.

From that forum, the Darul Fallah Agricultural Pesantren was born in Ciampea, Bogor, established on 9 April 1960 by KH. Sholeh Iskandar, KH. A. Ghafar Ismail, and Dr. Djanamar Adjam. And in the month of Muharram 1380 H (June 1960), Djoenaidi donated approximately 26.5 hectares of his land as a waqf to become the main site of the pesantren — land that is now officially certified at around 25 hectares and continues to sustain education in faith, knowledge, and skills.