Endless Gratitude – 85 Tahun Jakob Oetama (English Version)

Description

Kompas Journey—the first issue date of June 28, 1965 and was founded by P. K. Ojong (1920-1980) and Jakob Oetama—cannot be separated from the three decisive turning points. First, the decision of Jakob Oetama ready to bear the responsibility for signing a letter of apology, the early day of February 5, 1978. Second, the decision of Jakob Oetama to choose the profession of journalism as a vocation. Third, the sudden departure of P.K. Ojong on May 31, 1980, whereas so far business affairs was in Ojong responsibility, while the editorial affairs were the responsibility of Jakob Oetama.

What would have happened if Jakob Oetama did not take over the responsibility? Kompas may be in name, became one of the victim’s fossil of newspaper banned. If Jakob Oetama became a lecturer and being sent taking a doctoral program at the University of Leuven, Belgium, or the University of Colombia, USA as promised, it may not be born the newspaper with a breakthroughs enlightening, which is being the part of the survival of under the Soeharto’s repressive government.

Suppose Ojong did not die suddenly, probably there will be no many subsidiaries under the name of a Jakob Oetama, a modest figure which is preferred being called a journalist rather than a  businessman; who always said that the success of Kompas is caused by hard work, synergy, and therefore blessed by God.

With more than 20,000 employees under Kompas Gramedia Group at the 50th anniversary of Kompas,  June 28, 2015, as though it all happened by chance, but to Jakob Oetama actually all happened because of God’s providence (providentia dei).

Un journal c’est un monsieur, the paper’s stature, says the French proverb. Because of the figure of Jakob Oetama, Kompas is also has the figure. Vice Versa.