RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The name Adam Malik is immortalized in history as a “Founding Father of ASEAN.” However, he was actually a journalist long before he became a famous statesman.

His background in journalism is often overlooked by many people today. In fact, this experience played a vital role in shaping his leadership and diplomatic skills.

Adam Malik's interest in journalism grew as soon as he arrived in Jakarta. At age seventeen, he was very enthusiastic about following various political trials. In the book Seri Pengenalan Tokoh, the author notes Adam Malik's great enthusiasm. He did not just listen to debates; he also absorbed valuable lessons from national leaders.

From this experience, his interest in sharing information and ideas began to grow rapidly. He then became an active writer for Partindo magazine and Pelita Andalas newspaper. The peak of his contribution was founding the National News Agency, known as ANTARA. This institution was started on December 13, 1937, with Soemanang and other colleagues.

The world of journalism served as a major platform for shaping Adam Malik's critical thinking. He understood that journalism played a crucial role in the struggle for Indonesian independence. ANTARA was established from a spirit of struggle to spread news of the proclamation nationwide. This proved Adam Malik’s deep understanding of how information helps build a nation.

After Indonesia's independence, Adam Malik's diplomatic career continued to flourish on the international stage. He became a skilled diplomat who was highly reliable in global negotiation forums.

His agility in diplomacy even earned him unique nicknames like “Si Bung” or “Si Kancil.” He successfully led secret negotiations that resulted in the return of West Irian to Indonesia.

Experts believe his diplomatic skills were closely related to his background as a veteran journalist. His experience in the press made him very effective at building strong foreign relations. His greatest achievement was playing a key role in forming the ASEAN organization in 1967. Additionally, he was trusted to serve as the President of the UN General Assembly.

Despite having limited formal education, his strong desire to learn proved his high quality to the world. His extraordinary dedication eventually led him to serve as Vice President of Indonesia.

The government officially named Adam Malik a national hero in 1998. His legacy in journalism and diplomacy remains an inspiration for today's younger generation.