Disciplined Photojournalist, JB Suratno Passes Away

JB Suratno, a former photojournalist for the daily "Kompas" who captured historic moments at the Presidential Palace during the New Order era, died, Thursday (28/9/2023) afternoon.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Wartawan Foto Penuh Disiplin, JB Suratno Berpulang

ARSIP PRIBADI

Former photojournalist for the daily Kompas, JB Suratno

The sad news of the death of former Kompas photojournalist, Johanes Baptista (JB) Suratno (81), was received byKompas on Thursday (28/9/2023). JB Suratno or usually called RAT (his initials in Kompas) died at Hermina Hospital Depok, West Java, at 12.50. Kompas has lost this former journalist who was full of discipline and dedication.

Former Kompas photojournalist, Arbain Rambey (ARB), said that RAT was a very disciplined photojournalist who could be relied on for coverage within the Presidential Palace. "I'm not as good as KR (Kompas photojournalist, Kartono Ryadi), but I will guard the photos of the Palace and they won't get away," Arbain recalled. what RAT had revealed to him.

The only important event at the Palace that escaped the lens of the camera was Soeharto's resignation as President of Indonesia. At that time, RAT was attending the Ascension Day Mass at church. During the sermon, the pastor announced that Soeharto had stepped down from his position. Upon hearing this, RAT immediately went to the Palace, but the event had already concluded.

After leaving the palace, he went to the office to meet with Arbain who was working as a photo editor at the time. RAT immediately apologized to Arbain for not receiving the photo. He did not expect that Pak Harto would resign that day. "Mr. RAT apologized while kissing my hand," Arbain recalls.

KOMPAS/JB SURATNO

Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Michel Camdessus watches President Soeharto sign a memorandum of agreement on aid on Jalan Cendana, January 1998. This is one of the legendary photos taken by JB Suratno when he was a photojournalist for the daily Kompas.

Wash photos

RAT has been a photojournalist atKompas since the 1970s. Previously, he was a darkroom attendant who worked washing and printing photos by Kompas photojournalists.

In 1972, President Soeharto asked every newspaper to have one photojournalist at the Palace who could not be replaced. At that time, the number of Kompas photojournalists was still very small so it was not possible to place one special person at the Palace. The photo editor at that time, Kartono Ryadi, proposed teaching RAT to take photos and assigning him a report at the Palace.

Eddy Hasby, a photojournalist for Kompas, said, during the New Order era, the press was indeed shackled. "Loading the wrong news photo could result in the newspaper being banned," he said.

The monumental photo previously captured is the moment when the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Michel Camdessus, witnessed President Soeharto signing a memorandum of agreement for aid on Cendana Road in January 1998.

RAT's photographs published in the dailyKompas are legendary. RAT has immortalized important state moments during the New Order era.

The monumental photo that the late individual captured was the event where the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Michel Camdessus, witnessed President Soeharto signing an agreement on financial aid on Jalan Cendana in January 1998. That was the moment when Indonesia borrowed from the IMF during the monetary crisis.

There is also a photo of when President Soeharto gave a press statement after meeting with religious leaders, community figures, social organizations, and the military in Istana Merdeka on May 19, 1998, two days before resigning as president. Interestingly enough, it was when Soeharto did actually resign that RAT "caught off guard" and took a photo at Istana Merdeka.

KOMPAS/JB SURATNO

President Soeharto gives a press statement after a meeting with ulama, community leaders, social organizations and ABRI at the Merdeka Palace, 19 May 1998, two days before resigning as president. Witnessed by Minister of State Secretary Saadillah Mursyid (far right) and figures, including Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Amidhan, Nurcholish Madjid, Emha Ainun Najib, Malik Fadjar, Sutrisno Muchdam, Ali Yafie, Ma'ruf Amin, Abdurrahman Wahid, Cholil Baidowi, Adlani, Abdurrahman Nawi, and Ahmad Bagdja. This photo is also one of the historical documentation of JB Suratno's work published in the dailyKompas.

The late RAT retired from Kompas in 2002 at the age of 60 years. After retiring, he still frequently communicated with his fellow Kompas darkroom officers, one of whom was Wakiman or commonly called Jayeng.

Two months ago, RAT visited Jayeng's house because he missed him. The deceased also asked to be taken to a number of retired employees of Kompas, then to the daily office of Kompas where he used to work. "Apparently RAT said goodbye," said Jayeng.

The body of the late Mr. RAT is planned to be buried at the Non-Public Cemetery (TPBU) of Saint Yusuf Kalimulya 1, Depok, West Java. Prior to the burial, a requiem mass will be held at the funeral home in Depok on Friday (29/9/2023) at 11.00. Rest in peace, Mr. RAT.