March 23, 2011 edition

Rosihan Anwar is a colorful character. Born in West Sumatra on 10 May 1922, Rosihan writes poems, acts in plays and films and is able to speak about any topic under the sun at seminars and discussions. And, importantly, three-quarters of his life has been spent in the world of journalism.
He has been a journalist through many different eras: during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, during the Sukarno and Suharto governments right up to the current Reform period. He started out working for the newspaper Asia Raya, then later started the journal Siasat and also the newspaper Pedoman. He has also taught other journalists.
Rosihan has been loved, praised, abused and cursed. He has also been silenced—not just once but twice.
Nowadays the place where he is most is the hospital. As of writing he lies in the MMC Hospital ICU in Kuningan due to heart problems. Rosihan is 89 years old but still writes. His latest book is in the process of being published. He also continues to speak out. In the course of two meetings with Tempo journalists Purwani Diyah Prabandari and Cheta Nilawaty, he described his life in detail.

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More Memoar articles in other editions

January 19, 2011 edition

He is known as one of ‘The Gang of Five’ that formulated the direction of economic development under the New Order. Along with Widjojo Nitisastro, Emil Salim, Mohammad Sadli, and Ali Wardhana, Suharto made him one of his team of economic ministers. Initially he was Minister for Manpower, Transmigration, and Cooperatives, then Minister for Mining.
When Subroto became Minister for Mining, the world oil price was soaring. As well, he had to straighten out Pertamina that was then in poor shape through mismanagement. From government, Subroto later switched careers to become Secretary-General of OPEC. In that organization of oil-producing nations, he became known as an adroit diplomat with a ready smile.
In the twilight years of the New Order, Subroto turned into one of Suharto’s critics, becoming active in a number of organizations demanding reform. Today, in his 87th year, Subroto remains sharp, quick and clear when recounting his experiences to Tempo’s Yandi M. Rofiyandi and Ninin Damayanti. He no longer plays tennis, but still exercises on his treadmill and occasionally swims. Should someone ask his age, Subroto shoots back: What age? Psychologically, I’m still only 45!

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