Tirelessly Voicing Honesty and Justice
“When it comes to improper situations regarding honesty and justice, I will surely write about it.” (H Adi Andojo Soetjipto, 2017)
Sitting in his wheelchair, former Supreme Court justice (1981-1997) Adi Andojo spoke in detail about his writing, an activity he continues despite his physical limitations. At 85 years old, Adi can no longer see.
Nevertheless, in such a condition, the former chair of the government-sanctioned Corruption Eradication Joint Team (TGPTPK) still strives for crystal-clear logic. He always feels called upon to voice his aspirations through his writings in the face of situations he see as improper, particularly regarding honesty and justice.
“When it comes to improper situations regarding honesty and justice, I will surely write about it. For example, I once wrote an article about violent officials. Most recently, I wrote about the phenomenon of becik ketitik ala ketara (the good will be apparent and the bad will appear) regarding justice I feel is improper. There are officials who have clearly received money, or political elites who receive money, and yet they deny it in droves,” said Adi in his acceptance speech for the Dedicated Scholar 2017 award.
Adi received the award alongside Sawitri Supardi Sadarjoen, 74, and J Kristiadi, 71, at the Kompas Gramedia building on Jl. Palmerah Selatan, Jakarta, at the award ceremony coinciding with Kompas’ 52nd anniversary celebration on Wednesday (28/6/2017). The celebration was marked by the book launch for Dana Kemanusiaan Kompas: Talang Peduli Indonesia (Kompas Charity Fund: A Channel for Indonesian Care) by St Sularto and Mohamad Nasir.
Adi’s tireless persistence in giving voice to honesty and justice is widely acknowledged. In 2008, attorney general Hendarman Supandji awarded him with a certificate and an emblem of honesty for winning a writing competition themed “Corruption Eradication” at the climax of the year’s World Anti-Corruption Day commemoration at the National Monument in Jakarta.
Adi has also been awarded the Bintang Jasa Utama (major services star) from the government in 1999, Man of the Year 1996-1997 from the Indonesia Award Foundation and Studio Seven Production (1997), and the Karya Satya Star First Class (1983),as well as the Trikora Award Certificate (1981).
Adi has been an active writer at Kompas since 1996. Over 21 years, 52 of his articles have been published by the newspaper.
“How can a man with physical limitations keep on writing for Kompas? I have a solid team for writing, comprising my wife and children. My wife writes down my ideas on paper, and then my children type up these ideas on a computer,” Adi said.
Despite being known for his blunt opinions, Adi said that he was satisfied, as nobody refutes his ideas whether verbally or in writing. This means that his writings are corroborated by society. Therefore, Adi wishes to keep on writing, despite his physical limitations. “I will keep writing for Kompas forever. Until I cannot write anymore,” he said.
The desire to keep one’s voice heard was also related by Sawitri, a professor at Bandung Islamic University. The routine contributor to Kompas’ psychology column has written 265 articles for the newspaper. “I have written for Kompas for 20 years and, hopefully, I will keep on writing until the day I die,” she said.
For her work in clinical psychology, Sawitri was inducted in 2004 as an expert on clinical psychology during the Indonesian Psychologists’ Association’s 9th Congress in Surabaya.
Expressing concerns
Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) researcher J Kristiadi also conveyed his gratitude for the opportunity to write for Kompas since 1996. Kompas has published More than 250 of his articles. “I am embarrassed when people call me a scholar or any kind of figure. I am the one who should be thankful for having been given the opportunity to write for Kompas. This way, I can pour out all my aggravation, angst, my heart and anger [in my writings]. This country, really, is so degenerate,” he said.
Kristiadi said that he was thankful, as the opportunity had given him a channel to vent “my angry breath” in a more civilized and ethical way.
Kristiadi has worked at the CSIS think tank since 1976. Between 1992 and 1997, he served in the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). He also teaches at the Department of Social and Political Sciences at Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta and as a guest lecturer at the Indonesian National Army Staff and Command School (Sesko TNI) and the National Administration Institute (LAN).
Since 2008, Kompas has routinely awarded recognition to dedicated scholars and notable figures with expertise and continuous work in a variety of fields related to democratization, as well as analyses on humanity and humanitarianism. The award, which was initiated by Kompas chief editor Jakob Oetama, has been given to 43 awardees to date.
Kompas deputy chief editor Rikard Bagun said that the existence of dedicated scholars had encouraged Kompas to improve its efforts in resolving future challenges. “Whatever challenges Kompas is facing right now, it must press on, as nobody knows where the end lies. This is a moment not only to be grateful, but also to look back. What we see there determines how far we will move forward. Like the Romans said, there are always challenges and opportunities in every era. However, with goodwill and guided by a clear mind, we can always overcome,” he said.
(ABK)