INDONESIA
Mochtar Lubis, a veteran journalist and a staunch critic of two Indonesian presidents, Sukarno and Soeharto, died at the
The Jakarta Post
Friday, July 2, 2004
Mochtar, who was born in
His journalism career began during the Japanese occupation. From the 1940s, he worked as chief editor for theAntara state news agency, the Djakarta daily and the Indonesia Raya newspapers. The latter publication was banned by Soeharto administration in the early 1970s for attacking corruption in public life.
Mochtar was a member of the International Press Institute, the Executive Council of the International Association for Cultural Freedom in Paris, and a time-life member of the Jakarta Academy.
Besides being a well-known journalist, he was also known as a popular man of letters. He wrote novels -- Djamal, Suka Duka Masa Kanak-kanak (Djamal, Joy and Sorrow During a Time of Children), Senja di Jakarta (Twilight in Jakarta), Jalan Tiada Ujung (Road With No End), and Harimau Harimau! (Tigers!). His short stories were collected in a compilation entitled Kuli Kontrak (Contract Coolie).
He also wrote an autobiography in diary form entitled Corat Coret di Penjara (Graffiti in the Prison).
But it was his book Manusia
His constant railings against the government meant he was imprisoned for periods in both 1956 and in 1975.
Mochtar received many awards, including the Magsaysay Award for journalism and literature.
