With the passing away of Rosihan at the age of 89, the president said, Indonesia had lost one of its press figures of all ages from colonial, Old Order, New Order, until the reform era.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is of the opinion that the late senior journalist Rosihan Anwar always had critical views during his lifetime but with good intention and responsibility.

After paying homage to Rosihan Anwar at the mortuary on Surabaya street Thursday afternoon, President Yudhoyono said that on various occasions for dialog with Rosihan, the latter always expressed his critical views.

"Rosihan remains critical for I know him very well as a good friend. I still remember a number of dialogs where he conveyed his critical views but with good intention and responsibility," President Yudhoyono said.

With the passing away of Rosihan at the age of 89, the president said, Indonesia had lost one of its press figures of all ages from colonial, Old Order, New Order, until the reform era.

"Many things he has done. If we see the deceased`s journey, he has truly undergone ups and downs as an actor of history," the president said referring to Rosihan.

According to the head of state, Rosihan in his lifetime was known not only as a senior journalist but also as cultural and literary figure and movie legend.

The president expressed hope that in the future new Rosihan Anwars will be born to advance not only the world of mass media but also art and culture, movies, and world literature.

President Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono, and former President Habibie paid homage to Rosihan Anwar at 2 pm on Thursday.

Rosihan passed away of a heart attack at the Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) in Jakarta at 8.15 am on Thursday.

Honorary Council Secretary of the Indonesian Journalist Association Ilham Bintang said Rosihan Anwar was very weak when being fed by his daughter this morning, and then he was rushed to the MMC.

According to him, when checked by a doctor upon arrival at the hospital he was already gone.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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