Indonesia lost one of its journalism heroes on Wednesday through the passing of Jakob Oetama, cofounder of the country’s largest media and publishing company, Kompas Gramedia.

Kompas Gramedia confirmed his death. He passed away at the age of 88 after suffering from multiple organ failure, one of the doctors who treated Jakob said. He would be buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta on Thursday.

Throughout his life, Jakob was known by many of his comrades and loved ones as a simple figure who always prioritized honesty, integrity, gratitude and humanism.

Jakob, the son of a teacher, was born in Jowahan village in Central Java and graduated from the Seminary High School in Yogyakarta in 1951.

Before jumping into journalism, Jakob followed his parents' footsteps and taught at Mardi Yuana Junior High School in Cipanas, West Java, in 1952 and Van Lith Junior High School in Jakarta in 1953.

It was not until 1955 when Jakob became the weekly editor of Penabur magazine that he began to delve into the publishing world. Six years later, he finished studying at Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University, majoring in mass communication.

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