Former radio announcers of the Voice of Free Indonesia (VOFI) have criticized contemporary announcers for their low proficiencies in foreign languages, especially English.

VOICE OF AGES: Former announcers of the Voice of Free Indonesia (VOFI) radio station (from left to right) Mien Sudarjo, Ida Samawi (Zuraida Rosihin Anwar), Des Alwi and Susanti Pudjo share their experiences during a talk show held by the state-owned RRI. (JP/R. Berto W)

"They must improve their language skills because the radio programs are broadcast all over the world," Zuraida "Ida" Rosihan Anwar said here Monday.

"Most announcers used to speak more than one foreign language like Dutch, English, French and German, fluently. Today, I see current announcers have limited capacity to speak foreign languages. They should train more," said Ida, who speaks English and Dutch.

Ida, 84, was one of the VOFI's first announcers.

She was speaking at a talk show to celebrate the spirit of independence in conjunction with the radio station's 62nd anniversary with several of her former colleagues.

"I really enjoyed broadcasting even though I was just a part-time announcer at the VOFI. During the day I worked as an editorial secretary at the Kedaulatan Rakyat daily newspaper in Yogyakarta, while I worked at the radio in the evening," said Ida, who is wife of senior journalist Rosihan Anwar.

She said the establishment of the VOFI was initiated by 15 people, including Suryo Diputro, Hayi, Budiman, John Senduk, Wiarto and Ganis Harsono, in 1946.

Eleven of the 15 have died, while those still alive include Ida, Nani, Susanti and Des Alwi.

The VOFI broadcast in four languages -- Dutch, English, French and Indonesian. It took part in boosting the spirit of the nation in the struggle to defend the country's independence, and could be heard in countries as far away as Europe.

In 1950, the VOFI became a part of the Voice of Indonesia, or Suara Indonesia, the international program of the state-owned radio broadcasting station Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI).

Today, the VOI broadcasts 24 hours a day (14 hours through terrestrial and Internet programming, with 10 hours on radio Internet only) in 10 languages -- Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Indonesian, Korean, Malay and Spanish.

Des Alwi, who was VOFI technical division head, suggested the VOI improve its transmitter.

"It should have a more powerful transmitter to reach faraway areas and produce great sound quality," he said.

Alwi, Ida and other former VIFO staffers like Mien Soedarpo Sastrosatomo and Susanti Pudjo looked excited as they met with their old friends.

They shared hugs and laughter, chatting in Dutch and English.

"I was so excited and happy being here. They are still great even though they are more than 80 years old. It reminds me of our struggle in developing the VOFI during the colonial era in the 1940s when we were much younger," Santi, 86, said.

She used to announce news daily in English and Indonesian at the VOFI.

"I often went home at midnight when I was working as an announcer but it was not a big deal. I really enjoyed working at the VOFI because I could make a lot of friends there," she said.

"We were happy even though the salary was quite small. Luckily, the radio station often provided lunch or dinner for us," she said.

Santi had been through the sweetness and bitterness of the VOFI. She said they often moved because they faced threats from the Dutch government who wanted to reinstate its rule in the country. (trw)

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