DKI Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja Receives Pena Mas Award From PWI In Today's Memory, September 18, 1997

Surjadi Soedirdja, who is always 'cool' when criticized by the press when he was Governor of DKI Jakarta. (Perpusnas)

JAKARTA Memories of today, 26 years ago, September 18, 1997, Surjadi Soedirdja received the Pena Mas award from the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI). The award was given because Surjadi was considered an important figure for the development of Indonesian press.

Previously, it was not a common secret that the Jakarta leader often became a mediawoman (Friendly media). Issues in the capital city often become like press fuel in reporting national news. Therefore, almost every DKI Jakarta Governor is known as anews maker (news news motorcycle taxi).

Jakarta's image as a beacon of national civilization is often in the spotlight. Many historic events occur in Jakarta. From the Youth Pledge to the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. This narrative is strengthened by the lasting life of Jakarta as the State Capital.

The impact is everywhere. All kinds of things that happen in Jakarta are often being hunted by the mass media. Television, radio, newspapers, and magazines continue to explore the life celebration problems of the people of Jakarta.

This problem made many DKI Jakarta Governors in the spotlight of the mass media. The policy was reviewed. In fact, criticized. If the policy is implemented properly, then praise will come one by one.

The first time Jakarta began to get a lot of attention was during Ali Sadikin's tenure. The Governor of DKI Jakarta, who served 1996-1977, often became a media officer. Everything is because Ali is often sporty with the existing mass media.

He had no problem with his government being flooded with criticism. The more criticism, the better the life of the nation and state, he said. The DKI Jakarta government is aware of the shortcomings. Likewise, the mass media has received a lot of news.

Ali was also hailed as a freedom fighter of the press. He was not angry when he was bombarded with criticism about his policy of legalizing gambling and prostitution. This condition made him reach the peak of 'friendship' with many national journalists.

In front of the media, he considered that the press in Jakarta was better than in the regions in terms of freedom. Ali said: The Press in Jakarta dared to criticize me. Honesty criticizes the government for being good. With such an attitude, many journalists are close to Ali. Mochtar Lubis, a big Indonesian journalist who is fierce towards corrupt officials, praised Ali by writing, Ali would be praised by the people because of his handsome figure and happy to work. Likewise with Rosihan Anwar.

According to Sastrawan Goenawan Mohamad, Rosihan is a journalist who popularized Bang Ali's call in his writings in Guidelines magazine. After not serving as governor in 1977, Ali remained in good relations with reporters. The journalists continued to interview him after he retired, from the matter of Petition 50 to chaos at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH), two political and legal organizations he founded," explained Erwan Hermawan in his writing in Tempo Magazine entitled Press Freedom Defenders (2022).

The popularity of the Governor of DKI Jakarta as a media outlet continues even though Ali's term of office has ended. The successor then also continued the baton as anews maker. The DKI Jakarta government is good at making the press like a friend.

During the reign of Surjadi Soedirdja, for example. Surjadi's leadership in Jakarta is considered to have an important role in the growth and development of Indonesian press. He is always close to the press. He was also willing to be criticized.

As a form of appreciation, PWI gave him the Pena Mas award at the Jakarta City Hall on September 18, 1997. The man who is familiarly called Pak Sur is considered an important figure who affects the development of the press. Even he supports the press so that it continues. Even the Pena Mas award itself is an award that is commonly given by PWI to figures who bring progress can be done by press freedom.

"In this case, the press can help provide an overview of the background of a policy taken and the purpose of implementing a development program, namely solely for the benefit of all Jakarta residents. Thus, among Jakarta residents, trust and confidence will grow about the benefits of the development program being carried out.

Likewise, the DKI Jakarta Government must be able to capture the nuances of press coverage in the Capital City which is also the aspirations of Jakarta residents, as well as accommodate it in the policies and programs taken. In addition, the DKI Jakarta Government needs to place itself as a facilitator for the press in the Capital City, both as a source of news and partners who are able to provide their support for the progress and development of the press in the Capital City," Surjadi's speech when receiving the Pena Mas Award as quoted in the book Kiat-Kiat Bangun Kota Jakarta 1992-1997 (1997).

Surjadi Sudirja was born in Jakarta when he was named Batavia during the Dutch East Indies, October 11, 1938. He died in Jakarta on August 3, 2021.