Jakob Oetama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jakob Oetama
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Oetama, c. 1970
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| Member of the People's Consultative Assembly | |
| In office 1 October 1997 – 7 November 1998 |
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| President | Suharto B. J. Habibie |
| Member of the People's Representative Council | |
| In office 1 February 1967 – 1 October 1977 |
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| President | Suharto |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 September 1931 Magelang, Dutch East Indies |
| Died | 9 September 2020 (aged 88) Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Alma mater | Gajah Mada University |
| Occupation | President director and founder of kompas daily |
Jakob Oetama (born 27 September 1931 – died 9 September 2020) was an important Indonesian teacher, journalist, and businessman. He helped start and own the Kompas Gramedia Group. This is the biggest media company in Indonesia. He built it with his partner, P. K. Ojong.
Jakob Oetama was the head of Kompas Gramedia for many years. He also advised important journalist groups. He received a special doctorate degree in communications from Gadjah Mada University. In 1973, President Suharto gave him the Mahaputra Utama Star award.
Oetama was the son of a retired teacher. His career in journalism began in 1956. He became an editor for Penabur Weekly. In 1963, he and P. K. Ojong started Intisari magazine. This magazine might have been inspired by America's Reader's Digest. Two years later, on 28 June 1965, Oetama and Ojong founded the Kompas daily newspaper. Oetama managed Kompas until he passed away.
In the 1980s, the Kompas Gramedia Group grew very quickly. It became especially big in the world of communication. Oetama also helped start The Jakarta Post in 1983. This is Indonesia's national English daily newspaper. He worked with Jusuf Wanandi, Muhammad Chudori, Eric Samola, Fikri Jufri, Goenawan Mohamad, and Harmoko on this project.
Oetama died on 9 September 2020. This day was also the 9th anniversary of Kompas Television. He passed away at Mitra Keluarga Hospital in Kelapa Gading, Jakarta. He was buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery on 10 September 2020.
Contents
Early Life and Education
His Early Life
Jakob Oetama was born on 27 September 1931. He came from a Javanese family that followed the Catholic faith. His birthplace was Jowahan hamlet, near the famous Borobudur temple. This was in Magelang Regency, Central Java, during the time of the Dutch East Indies.
His father was a school teacher in Sleman, Yogyakarta. At first, Oetama's parents wanted him to become a priest. They also thought he might follow in his father's footsteps and become a teacher.
His Education Journey
Oetama finished his basic schooling in Yogyakarta. He then went to Seminary High School in Yogyakarta, graduating in 1951. Early in his career, he worked as a teacher. He taught at Mardiyuwana Junior High School in Cipanas, Cianjur, West Java. Later, he taught at Van Lith Junior High School in Jakarta.
He continued teaching while studying history education. He finished this degree in 1956. Oetama then studied journalism in Jakarta and graduated in 1959. He also studied journalism at Gajah Mada University, completing his studies there in 1961.
Career in Journalism and Business
Starting His Journalism Career
Jakob Oetama's journey in journalism began in 1955. He became an editor for the Penabur weekly newspaper. In 1963, he started Intisari magazine. He did this with his business partner and fellow journalist, P. K. Ojong. The magazine was inspired by Reader's Digest.
Two years later, on 28 June 1965, Oetama and Ojong founded the Kompas daily newspaper. They built the Kompas journalism team from the staff they had hired for Intisari. Oetama successfully managed Kompas during Suharto's strong government, known as the New Order (1965–1998). This period was difficult for the press, as media freedom was limited.
In the 1970s, many news outlets faced censorship from the government. Kompas, under Oetama, was careful in its reporting. It reported political issues in a balanced way. Because of this, it mostly avoided being censored. However, in 1978, Kompas was banned for two weeks. This happened because it reported on student protests. There was a disagreement between Ojong, who wanted to close Kompas, and Oetama, who was willing to work with the government.
Leading Kompas Gramedia Group
After Ojong's death in 1980, Oetama became the main leader of Kompas. Under his leadership, Kompas grew into a huge media company. It expanded into many different areas. By the early 1990s, the group had 38 smaller companies. It employed about 10,000 people.
Beyond newspapers and publishing, the Kompas Gramedia Group also expanded into bookstores, like Gramedia. They also owned hotels and some manufacturing businesses. In 1983, Oetama helped create The Jakarta Post. This was an English-language newspaper for Indonesia. He worked with Jusuf Wanandi, Muhammad Chudori, Eric Samola, Fikri Jufri, Goenawan Mohamad, H. G. Rorimpandey, and Harmoko on this project.
Kompas did not openly criticize the Suharto government between 1978 and 1998. However, Kompas still kept its independence. It found subtle ways to comment on the government. Oetama remained the editor-in-chief of Kompas until 2000. He then chose Suryopratomo to take his place.
Oetama was a big supporter of the arts. In 1982, he started Bentara Budaya under Kompas Gramedia. This organization had art galleries in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali. He also served as a member of the People's Representative Council. He was a member from 1967 to 1977, and again briefly in 1997. He received an honoris causa (honorary degree) in communication from Gajah Mada University in 2003.
His Passing
On 22 August 2020, Jakob Oetama was admitted to Mitra Keluarga Hospital. This was in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. He was in a serious condition due to problems with several organs. He fell into a coma on 6 September. He passed away on 9 September at 88 years old. The cause was multiple organ failure.
His funeral was held on 10 September 2020. It took place at the Kompas Gramedia headquarters in Jakarta. Kompas TV broadcast the event live. About 60 people attended, following COVID-19 safety rules. He was buried later that day at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta. Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla led the ceremony at Kalibata.
See also
- Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta
