It was a bitter Thursday for Indonesia as the country bid farewell to Rosihan Anwar, whose entire life was dedicated to journalism.

Rosihan, who was born on May 10, 1922, passed away Thursday at 8:15 a.m., a day after returning from Harapan Kita Hospital in West Jakarta after being treated for a heart condition. He underwent open heart surgery at the hospital last month.

His family said Rosihan had suffered from breathing difficulties earlier Thursday, forcing them to rush him to Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.

He was given a military funeral at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta later in the afternoon.

“Today, we have lost a figure for all eras, Rosihan Anwar,” said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono — who paid his respects along with First Lady Kristiani Herawati at Rosihan’s residence on Jl. Surabaya, Central Jakarta — referring to Rosihan’s career that stretched back to the pre-independence era.

The President also recalled Rosihan as a friend who possessed a critical mind, reflected through the discussions they had.

“I still remember our last talk at the State Palace. He put forth his critical views with a sense of responsibility and good intentions.”

Yudhoyono also acknowledged Rosihan as not only a sharp-minded journalist, but also a person of literature, culture and film who had “done much for this nation”.

The President presented Rosihan the Spirit of Journalism Award last year. Rosihan has also received other awards, including the Bintang Mahaputra III — the highest civilian award — from late president Soeharto in 1974.

Rosihan began his career in his early 20s as a reporter for Asia Raya newspaper in 1943. He never left the world of journalism since.

Rosihan penned around 20 books and hundreds of articles published in local and foreign media. He established the National Film Company (Perfini) with acclaimed film director Usmar Ismail in the 1950s and was a noted film critic.

Mourners included Vice President Boediono, former president BJ Habibie, former Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor Miranda S. Goeltom, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa and prominent politicians such as Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie. They remembered Rosihan as an exemplary figure in journalism.

In brief eulogies, key media figures remembered Rosihan for his superb work ethic and humble personality, which left a mark on those who knew him.

Media figure Ilham Bintang, the first to present a eulogy, said Rosihan’s death caused many to feel “the world has stopped turning and we don’t know how to make it turn again”.

“Rosihan has passed away but he is not gone. We will go to where he has gone one day,” he said.

Jakarta Academy head Taufik Abdullah vowed the work and dedication of Rosihan, whom he described as a “superb thinker”, would not be forgotten.

Rosihan remained active well into his old age. He was a columnist for Asiaweek Hong Kong, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia School of Literature and a committee member at the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) in Singapore.

Rosihan chaired the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI) from 1970 to 1973. His last position in the organization was as honorary council chairman.

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