In the 50s and 60s, Hasyim Rachman was the publisher and editor of the anti-imperialist daily newspaper, Bintang Timur, one of Indonesia's highest selling newspapers. Bintang Timur was banned by the Suharto regime in 1965. Hasyim Rahman was gaoled for 14 years, including 10 years on Buru Island. He was never charged or put on trial.

After release in 1979, he joined with ex-political prisoner and journalist, Yusuf Isak, and Pramoedya Ananta Toer to form the Hasta Mitra publishing company. Hasta Mitra published, among other things, the prison novels of Pramoedya Ananta Toer – books which the Suharto regime later banned.

Hasta Mitra became the symbol of resistance to the regime by released political prisoners.

From Yusuf Isak, sent from Germany:

On June 28, 6.30am, Hasyim Rachman passed away. Hasyim was ill and hospitalised for three weeks due to a lung disease. He was in the Intensive Care Unit for several days.

Hasyim passed away surroujnded by his children, wife, friends and comrades. He was buried the same day beside his mother.

While hospitalised he made sure he was able to vote in the June 7 general elections. He was asked by his younger brother: "You voted for the PDI Struggle, didn't you?" Hasyim answered from his bed, shaking his head: "I voted for the PRD!"

Then one his children added: "Father must get better so that you see the fourth president of the Republic." Hasyim answered: "That's not important. More important is for Suharto to be put on trial. So that he and his cronies become gutter rats and have to live under bridges like paupers."