Sjamsul Kahar, Aceh press pioneer and Serambi Indonesia founder, dies

Sjamsul Kahar, a prominent Aceh press figure and founder of the Serambi Indonesia daily newspaper, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at RSUD Zainoel Abidin in Banda Aceh. He was 80 years old.

Kahar was a senior journalist who played a vital role in the development of journalism in Aceh. He previously worked as a reporter for Kompas before co-founding Serambi Indonesia alongside M. Nourhalidyn, transitioning the publication from the weekly Mimbar Swadaya to a daily newspaper in February 1989.

His career spanned periods of significant regional instability. During the Aceh conflict, he faced personal threats, including a Molotov cocktail attack on his home and the burning of his vehicle in 1999. He also navigated the media industry through the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which destroyed the newspaper's offices and printing equipment.

In addition to his editorial work, Kahar served three terms as the leader of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) in Aceh between 1985 and 1999. He was the father of Nezar Patria, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs.