Boediardjo
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Boediardjo (16 November 1921 – 15 March 1997) was the 19th Minister of Information of Indonesia, serving from 1968 to 1973 in the First Development Cabinet under President Suharto, replacing B. M. Diah. He also served as Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia (1965–1968) and Spain (1976–1979). In his military career, he reached the rank of Air Marshal in the Indonesian Air Force. He had four children: Dandung Bardo Kahono, Ennie Angkawati Boediardjo, Grombyang Setyaning Boediardjo, and Iwan Wiwoho.[1]
Boediardjo | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Indonesian Ambassador to Spain | |
| In office 1976–1979 | |
| President | Suharto |
| Preceded by | New position |
| Succeeded by | Soerodjo Sarni |
| 19th Minister of Information of Indonesia | |
| In office 6 June 1968 – 28 March 1973 | |
| President | Suharto |
| Preceded by | B. M. Diah |
| Succeeded by | Mashuri Saleh |
| Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia | |
| In office 1965–1968 | |
| President | Sukarno Suharto |
| Preceded by | Abdul Karim Rasyid |
| Succeeded by | Suharnoko Harbani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 November 1921 |
| Died | 15 March 1997 (aged 75) Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Spouse | Sri Redjeki |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Royal Air Force Staff College |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Indonesian Air Force |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Unit | Pilot Corps |
Early life and education
Boediardjo was born in Magelang, Central Java, on 16 November 1921. He attended primary school at the Hollandsch-Inlandsche School (HIS) in Rejosari, Semarang (graduated 1935), then continued to Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs (MULO) in Magelang (graduated 1939). He also studied radio technology in Bandung (1940) and attended the Railway School in Semarang (1943–1944). After independence, he attended the Aviation School in Bandung (1951), the Squadron Commander's Course in Jakarta (1952), the School of Life Sciences Strategy in Jakarta (1952), and the Royal Air Force Staff College in Andover, England (1954).[2]
Military career
Boediardjo began his career in aviation during the colonial period. From 1939 to 1942, he was a member of the Militaire Luchtvaart (Military Aviation of the Dutch East Indies). During the Japanese occupation (1943–1945), he joined the Rikuyu Sokyoku.[3]
After independence, he served in the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU). He served as Deputy Minister and Air Force Chief of Staff (1945–1965) and Director of Communication and Navigation of the Indonesian Air Force (1952). He reached the rank of Air Marshal.[2]
Role in the 1 March 1949 General Offensive
One of Boediardjo's most important contributions to Indonesian history was his role in broadcasting the news of the successful 1 March 1949 General Offensive to the world.[2][3]
Background
After the Dutch Military Aggression II in December 1948, Yogyakarta fell to the Dutch and the leaders of the Republic were captured. To prove to the world that Indonesia still existed and was capable of fighting, a major offensive was planned.[3]
Boediardjo's role
As the head of the Air Force Communications Service, Boediardjo set up a secret emergency radio station with the call sign PC2 in a farmer's house in the village of Banaran, Playen, Gunungkidul. To avoid Dutch detection, the radio antenna was hidden in coconut trees and the generator was hidden in a secret pit during the day. The radio station was only operated at night.[2][3]
The broadcast
On the morning of 1 March 1949, the General Offensive successfully took control of Yogyakarta for several hours. The next day, in the early morning of 2 March 1949, the PC2 radio station led by Boediardjo sent the news of this victory to other AURI stations:[2]
- Yogyakarta (PC2) → Bukittinggi (Sumatra) → Takengon (Aceh) → Rangoon (Burma)
- From Burma, the news was picked up by All India Radio in New Delhi, which then broadcast it to the world
- From India, the news reached the Indonesian delegation at the UN in New York
Impact
This broadcast was a tremendous diplomatic victory. The world learned that Indonesia still had a functioning government and army, shattering Dutch propaganda claiming that the Republic of Indonesia had been destroyed. The news strengthened Indonesia's bargaining position at the UN and put the Dutch in a difficult position.[2]
Personal account
Boediardjo wrote about this experience in his memoir, "Siapa Sudi Saya Dongengi". When the radio station was successfully operating and the news was sent, he and his team were so overjoyed that the family whose house they were staying in thought they were possessed.[3]
Minister of Information (1968–1973)
Boediardjo served as Minister of Information in the First Development Cabinet under President Suharto from 1968 to 1973, replacing B.M. Diah.
During his tenure, he also served as:[2]
- Chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) (1972)
- Chairman of the Press Council (1972)
He was known for his love of journalism and photography. He always carried a camera wherever he went.[3]
Role at Borobudur Temple (1980–1985)
In 1980, Boediardjo was appointed as the first President Director of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur & Prambanan (now PT TWC). He served until 1985 and is remembered as one of the "founders" of the company that manages the Borobudur Temple tourism area.[4]
Challenge: Land acquisition
His toughest task was to acquire 85 hectares of land around Borobudur Temple to be developed into a tourist park. This meant five villages (Kenayan, Ngaran-Krajan, Gopalan, Gendingan, and Sabrang-rowo) had to be relocated, affecting around 380 families.[4]
This challenge was extremely difficult because Boediardjo was a local resident himself (from Dusun Tingal, Wanurejo Village, only one kilometer from the temple). He had to face his own neighbors and community members. The project faced strong opposition:[4]
- Protests and vandalism from residents who refused to be evicted
- A symbolic act involving a mound of soil resembling a grave, sprinkled with rose petals and marked with a headstone, which was seen as "a grave for the evictor"
- Protracted and tense negotiation processes
Despite the immense pressure, Boediardjo is remembered for his patience in handling this conflict.[4]
Cultural legacy
Although the land acquisition process was painful, his legacy at Borobudur is very positive in the cultural field:[4]
- Pondok Tingal: Built an affordable lodging and art center for tourists and students with limited funds, so they could learn about Borobudur Temple in depth.
- Wayang Museum "Sasana Guna Rasa": Helped establish a wayang museum that houses collections of wayang puppets from various regions of Indonesia and abroad, including Kedu wayang made in 1880.[5]
- Regular Wayang Performances: Every month on the fourth Saturday, wayang kulit performances are held at the Pondok Seni dan Budaya Boediardjo (Pondok Tingal).[4]
- "Salya Begal" Performance: The wayang kulit performance entitled "Salya Begal" is one of four wayang performances created by Boediardjo.[5] This performance was created through a collaboration between Boediardjo, who wrote the synopsis, and Ki Manteb Sudarsono, who developed it into a compact performance.[6] The story tells of Prabu Salya from the Kingdom of Mandaraka who experiences disappointment and despair when his plan to prevent the Bharatayudha war fails. The moral message conveyed is that humans should not give up in despair and should surrender all desires to God Almighty.[5]
- First Performance: "Salya Begal" was first performed on 16 November 1996 in Jakarta at Boediardjo's 75th birthday celebration, with puppeteer Ki Manteb Sudarsono.[5] In his autobiography "Siapa Sudi Saya Dongengi", Boediardjo wrote: "I want to end this fairy tale with a wayang kulit performance of 'Salya Begal'."[5]
- Continuing Tradition: To this day, "Salya Begal" has become a "mandatory" performance in the regular performances to honor Boediardjo's services in the arts and culture.[5]
- Cultural Preservation: He is remembered as a "cultural arts activist" who contributed greatly to the cultural landscape of Borobudur.
Other organizations and activities
Boediardjo was also active in various organizations:[2][4]
- Chairman of the Indonesian Orchid Association (PAI) (1962–1983). In 1972, an orchid hybrid was named in his honor, Paraphalaenopsis Boediardjo, with the name confirmed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).[7]
- Chairman of Social and Culture (PEPABRI) (1974–1978)
- Chairman of the Nawangi Puppet Foundation (Yayasan Pewayangan Nawangi) (1974), where he donated his collection of approximately 1,848 wayang puppets to the Wayang Museum "Sasana Guna Rasa".
- Head of the Legal, Social, and Cultural Department of the Indonesian Veterans Legion (LVRI) (1979)
Death and honors
Boediardjo died in Jakarta on 15 March 1997 at the age of 75. He is buried at TPU Tingal Kulon, Wanurejo Village, Borobudur District, Magelang Regency.[4]
To this day, the press community, especially in Magelang, regularly holds pilgrimages to his grave to honor his contributions to Indonesian journalism. PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur & Prambanan also regularly holds annual pilgrimages to remember his services.[4]
Awards
Domestic
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Foreign
Spain :
Grand Cross (White Decoration) of the Cross of Aeronautical Merit (23 June 1979)[9]
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