ARENAWATI

Muhammad Dahlan bin Abdul Biang
(Dilencongkan dari Arena Wati)
Muhammad Dahlan bin Abdul Biang atau lebih dikenali sebagai Arena Wati (lahir 30 Julai 1925) ialah Sasterawan Negara Malaysia tahun 1988.
Arena Wati dilahirkan pada 30 Julai 1925 di Kalumpang Kabupaten, Jeneponto, Makasar, Indonesia. Arena mendapat pendidikan awal di sekolah Belanda, Hollands Indische School, sebelum meletus Perang Dunia II. Semasa Perang Dunia II, beliau memulakan kerjayanya sebagai pelaut pada tahun 1943. Pengalamannya dalam bidang ini meningkatkan lagi kemampuan beliau dalam penulisan dan menghasilkan novel yang baik. Beliau menamatkan pengajian menengahnya di Makasar pada tahun 1953.
Selepas tamat persekolahan, Arena bekerja dengan syarikat penerbitan di Singapura, dan kemudiannya ke Johor Baru dan Brunei. Dalam tempoh ini, beliau telah menjadi warganegara Malaysia dan antara tahun 1962 hingga 1974, beliau bertugas di Pustaka Antara, Kuala Lumpur.
Arena Wati terjun dalam dunia kewartawanan sekitar tahun 1954 dan pernah menjadi editor di Pustaka Antara dan akhirnya menerima anugerah Sasterawan Negara pada 1988. Kebanyakan karya Arena Wati berbentuk akademik, imiginatif, mencabar minda dan kritikannya pedas dan berbisa.

Karya
Novelnya yang pertama ialah Kisah Tiga Pelayaran pada tahun 1959 di Singapura. Selepas itu beliau terus menulis termasuk:
Lingkaran (1962)
Sandera (1971)
Bunga Dari Kuburan (1987)
Kuntum Tulip Biru (1987)
Sakura Mengorak Kelopak (1987)
Panrita (1993).
Sukma Angin (1999)
Cakra Waruga (KN)
Sebuah Trilogi Tiga Genre(KN)
Sebuah Trilogi Tiga Genre(KT)
Trilogi Busa - Busa Hati
Trilogi Busa - Busa Sukma
Trilogi Busa - Busa Kalbu
Trilogi Armageddon : Mandala
Trilogi Armageddon : Menorah
Trilogi Armageddon : Pentagon
Warna Sukma Usia Muda

Pencapaian
SEA Write Award (1985)
Anugerah Sasterawan Negara (1987).
Sukma Angin (1999) memenangi Hadiah Sastera Perdana Malaysia 1998/99.
"Anugerah Penulisan Asia Tenggara 1985" (SEA Write Award) daripada Paduka Raja Thai
Pemenang Hadiah Sastera Majlis Sastera Asia Tenggara (Hadiah MASTERA) 2003.
Diambil daripada "http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Dahlan_bin_Abdul_Biang"

MUNSYI ABDULLAH

Munshi Abdullah a.k.a Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir (b. 1797, Kampong Pali, Malacca - d. October 1854, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), son of Sheikh Abdul Kadir d. 1820 Malacca). With a very strict Muslim upbringing and scholarly education, Abdullah's abilities made him a language teacher and interpreter proficient in Arabic, Tamil, Hindustani, English and Malay. He wrote the critically acclaimed "Hikayat Abdullah" which in Malay means the "Story of Abdullah". He was the first local to give a written account of everyday life in Malaya, published in 1849. For his early literary contributions, he was given the name, "The Father of Modern Malay Literature."Early lifeAbdullah was born in 1797, in Malacca, the fifth and only surviving child of Sheikh Abdul Kadir, a religious Muslim of Arab-Indian descent. At the age of four, he learnt to scribble on a schoolboy's slate. At the age of six he suffered a severe attack of dysentry. Abdullah could not read the Koran, and while other children chanted their verses, he traced out the written Arabic characters with his pen. He was seven years old, when his strict father, furious at his son's backwardness, sent him to the Kampong Pali Koran School. His father closely monitored, and was careful not to let his son neglect his Koran studies. For writing exercises, for example, he made Abdullah write the Arabic names of all the people he saw at the mosque, and was severely punished for mistakes, until he was word perfect. He had to write the complete Koran, and translate an Arabic text into Malay.CareerFirst jobAt age eleven with an implanted passion for the written word, Abdullah was earning money writing Koranic texts. By 13, he was teaching religion to mostly Muslim soldiers of the Indian garrison stationed in the Malaccan Fort. From them he learned Hindustani. The soldiers called him Munshi (sometimes spelt munsyi, it is Malay for a "teacher" of language), a title which stuck to him for the rest of his life, and by which he is still known. But his father insisted he get on with his Malay studies which were just beginning, and his first real chance of a secular education. The first big opportunity he had to prove his worth to his parents, was when his father was away from the office, he wrote out the bond, a signed document required for a ship's Captain. As the Captain was leaving with his document, and Abdullah having beeen paid a dollar for his efforts, in walked his father, Abdul-Kadir. Pleased at his son's abilities, Abdullah was allowed to understudy his father in his petition-writing business, and was sent to study under the finest scholars in Malacca. He was an avid reader of all the Malay manuscripts he could lay his hands on, and his inquiring mind gave his teachers no rest until they answered his questions. He went through great lengths to find tutors who could expound to him the intricacies of Malay idiom. He sat at the feet of and impressed learned visitors from other countries. At the age of 13, Abdullah was writing Koranic Texts for the Muslim Soldiers of the Malaccan Garrison. In 1811, when he was merely fourteen years old, he was already considered an accomplished Malay scholar.Stamford RafflesIn December 1810, Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in Malacca and hired young Abdullah as interpreter to communicate with the native rulers in their language. Abdullah, the youngest employee, was one of the scribes and copyists preserving Malay literature and manuscripts, in the office. In his later book, "Hikayat Abdulah", Abdullah's diary accounts are the only eye-witness records of preparations for the British "1811 Java Invasion" expedition. Raffles had suggested taking him along but his mother refused to part with her only child. They were to meet nine years later in Singapore. He had a very high regard for Sir Stamford Raffles.Missionary connectionIn 1815, Reverend William Milne (b. 1785 - d. 27May 1822 Malacca), a 'London Missionary Society' missionary arrived and started free Bible classes for local children which Abdullah attended, just to learn English. Rev. Milne soon discovered Abdullah's proficiency in Malay, and made him his teacher. Other Western missionaries followed, and Abdullah was kept busy teaching them Malay and translating the Gospels. Another missionary who arrived in September 1815, was a German, Rev. Claudius Henry Thomsen who became Abdullah's lifelong friend. He and Thomsen translated parts of the bible into Malay, and produced lots of other printed material. On 11 November 1818, Abdullah witnessed the foundation-stone laying of the Anglo-Chinese College building by the ex-Resident of Malacca, Major William Farquhar (later Resident of Singapore 1819-1823). Rev. Thomsen left for Singapore on 11 May 1822.SingaporeSometime after June 1819, Abdullah came to Singapore to make a living as an interpreter. He taught Malay to Indian soldiers, British and American missionaries, and on occasion, was private secretary to Raffles. Some of the leading merchants like Edward Boustead and the Armstrong Brothers learnt Malay from Abdullah.In the late 1830s he met assisted Rev. Benjamin Peach Keasberry in his school and Mission Press, and helped Rev. Keasberry to print a large number of books. Abdullah was engaged to assist him in polishing his Malay linguistic skills, and under Keasberry's guidance and encouragement, wrote his own life story. In 1840, he began writing the "Hikayat Abdullah" and continued writing his memoirs until September 1846.FamilyFather : Sheikh Abdul-Kadir (d. 1820)Mother : a Malacca-born half-Indian, Selama (d. 1826). She was the second wife of Abdul Kadir and they were married in 1785.Siblings : Abdullah's first four elder brothers all died in infancy. Abdullah was the fifth son, but the first to have survived.Children : Abdullah had four children from his marriage in 1815 to an unnamed woman (d. 17 May 1840). Towards the end of 1836 his favorite and only daughter died at the age of eight.Literary worksAbdullah was the first Malay writer to depart from the traditional Malay literary style by writing in the colloquial language. Unlike courtly writing, it was realistic and lively, incorporating many Malay idioms and proverbs. A. E. Cooper, who translated "Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah", says, "his 'direct reporting' acts as a pleasant cool douche after the lushness of Malay romances"."Hikayat Abdullah" ("Abdullah's Story", translated by John. T. Thomson in 1874), his autobiographical work was written between 1840 and 1843 and published in March 1849. With vignettes of early years of British colonization, it is an important source of the early history of Singapore soon after it was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles. There were two earlier English translations by John Turnbull Thomson and Rev. Dr. William G. Shellabear, but these works are regarded as out-of-date."Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah ke Kelantan" (meaning "The Tale of Abdullah's Voyage to Kelantan), describes his experiences on a 1837 trip from Singapore to Kelantan. For his early literary contributions he is regarded as "Father of Modern Malay Literature"."Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah ke-Negeri Jeddah" (meaning "The Tale of Abdullah's Voyage to Jeddah"), the last book was published posthumously.Despite Abdullah's obscurities, misrepresentations of fact and occasional solecisms in his books on his literary and pilgrimage to Mecca, Munshi Abdullah became the first local Malay to have his works published, and thus has gained the title of being the "Father of modern Malay Literature", his writings remain an inspiration for modern Malay literature. His diary was brought back by a friend after Abdullah died, and so his last journey was published posthumously. Munshi Abdullah Avenue is named after him.AuthorVernon Cornelius-Takahama, 2001 References Abdullah Abdul Kadir, Munshi. (1969). The Hikayat Abdullah: The autobiography of Abdullah Abdul Kadir, 1797-1854 (pp. 1, 5-26, 31-40, 48-56, 73-75, 103-111, 121, 309). Singapore: Oxford University Press. (Call no.: R SING 959.51032 ABD) Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times in Singapore: 1819-1867 (pp. 28-29, 321, 354, 557). Singapore: Oxford University Press.(Call no.: RSING 959.57 BUC)Dunlop, P. K. G. (2000). Street names of Singapore (p. 216). Singapore: Who's Who Pub. (Call no.: SING 959.57 DUN)Shellabear, W. G (Trans). (1918). The autobiography of Munshi Abdullah. Singapore: Methodist Publishing House. (Call no.: RRBS 959.503 ABD) Sng, B. E. K. (1980). In His good time: The story of the church in Singapore, 1819-1978 (pp. 33-34, 54-55). Singapore: Graduates' Christian Fellowship. (Call no.: SING 275.957 SNG)Turnbull, C. M . (1972). The Straits Settlements, 1826-67: Indian presidency to crown colony (p. 17). London: Athlone Press. (Call no.: RCLOS 959.57 TUR)A history of Singapore (p. 300). (1996). Singapore: Oxford University Press. (Call no.: SING 959.57 HIS) Further ReadingsAbdullah Abdul Kadir, Munshi. (1967). Voyage of Abdullah being an account of his experiences on a voyage from Singapore to Kelantan in A.D. 1838. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. (Call no.: RAC 959.5 ABD)The information in this article is valid as at 2001 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

SYED SHEIKH SYED AHMAD AL-HADI

Syed Sheikh bin Ahmad Al-Hadi (22 November 1867 - 20 Februari 1934) merupakan pelopor gerakan Kaum Muda di Malaya.
Senarai kandungan[lipat]
1 Kehidupan Awal
2 Kembali Dari Pengajian
3 Pindah Ke Pulau Pinang
4 Hasil Penulisan
5 Rujukan

Kehidupan Awal
Beliau dilahirkan di Kampung Hulu, Melaka. Ibunya berketurunan Melayu, manakala bapanya, Syed Ahmad ibn Hasan ibn Saqaf al-Hady al-Ba’alawi merupakan peranakan Arab dari Hadrami, Yemen. Ketika beliau kecil, beliau menjadi anak angkat kepada Raja Ali Kelana, Sultan Riau ketika itu dan dibesarkan bersama-sama putera raja di istana. Beliau belajar ilmu teologi dan bahasa Arab di Madrasah Raja Ali Haji. Beliau merupakan salah seorang pengasas Persekutuan Rashidiyyah, sebuah kumpulan pengajian yang aktif di Melaka dan Singapura pada tahun 1890-an. Beliau pernah mengembara di negara-negara Arab dan elajar di Makkah, Beirut dan Kaherah. Di Universiti Al-Azhar, beliau terpengaruh dengan pemikiran reformis dari Mesir, Muhammad Abduh.

Kembali Dari Pengajian
Kembali ke Malaya, beliau terpengaruh dengan Sheikh Muhammad Tahir Jalaluddin al-Azhari yang mendedahkannya dengan pemikiran Muhammad Abduh dan Rashid Rida. Bersama-sama Shaikh Mohamad Tahir, Sheikh Mohamad Salim al-Kalili dan Haji Abbas Mohamad Tahar, mereka memulakan penerbitan Majalah Al-Imam pada 23 Julai 1906 di Singapura. Pada 4 Februari 1908, beliau membuka Madrasah al-Iqbal al-Islamiyyah di Singapura. Antara tahun 1909 - 1915, beliau menjadi peguam di mahkamah syariah di Johor Bahru. Tetapi pada tahun 1915, beliau mengambil keputusan untuk meninggalkan kerjaya tersebut membolehkan beliau kembali ke Melaka dan membuka madrasah di sana bersama Haji Abu Bakar Ahmad yang kemudian dikenali sebagai Madrasah Al-Hadi.
Pindah Ke Pulau Pinang
Tetapi masyarakat Melayu di Melaka tidak menyukai cara pengajaran yang disampaikan oleh beliau yang ketika itu disifatkan terlalu radikal dan kontroversi. Kemudian pada tahuin 1919, beliau berpindah ke Pulau Pinang dan membuka Madrasah Al-Mashoor, dimana salah seorang tenaga pengajar di madrasah itu ialah Sheikh Muhammad Tahir Jalaluddin al-Azhari. Madrasah al-Mashhor juga antara antara madrasah yang terkenal dengan pengaruh gerakan radikal pada zaman penjajah. Madrasah tersebut merupakan sebagai instrumen untuk memberi pendidikan kepada pemikir dan aktivis reformis muda Muslim ketika itu.
Pada tahun 1927, beliau meninggalkan profesion perguruan dan membuka Percetakan Jelutong di Pulai Pinang yang merupakan penerbitan yang bersifat reformasi Islam. Beliau menerbitkan Tafsir Al-Quran oleh Muhammad Abduh dan juga lain-lain penerbitan berkaitan artikel dan buka reformasi. Pada tahun 1926, beliau melancarkan jurnal bulanan, Al-Ikhwan dan pada tahun 1928, beliau menerbitkan akhbar harian, Saudara. Antara penulis untuk akhbar Saudara ialah Abdul Rahim Kajai.
Syed Sheikh al-Hadi meninggal dunia pada 20 Februari 1934.

Hasil Penulisan
Hasil penulisannya termasuk:-
Hikayat Faridah Hanum, 1925
Anak dara Ghasan, jilid 1-2. Singapura: Harmy, 1959.
Hikayat setia asyik kepada maksuk. Pulau Pinang: Jelutong Press.
Rokombul dalam Sibiria. Pulau Pinang: Jelutong Press.

Rujukan
Alijah Gordon, (ed.) The real cry of Syed Sheikh al-Hady. 1999. William Roff, The origins of Malay nationalism, 1967.
Sejarah Malaysia
Diambil daripada "http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syed_Sheikh_Syed_Ahmad_Al-Hadi"

KERIS MAS

Keris Mas

Keris Mas (10 June 1922 - 9 March 1992), born Kamaluddin Muhamad, was a prominent Malaysian literary figure and was one of the founders of the Asas 50 literary movement. His numerous contributions to Malay language literature (especially in the short story form) led him to become Malaysia's first National Laureate in 1981.
Contents[hide]
1 Biography
2 Literary career
2.1 Asas 50
3 Awards
4 Death
5 References
6 External links

Biography
Born in Kampung Ketari, Bentong, Pahang, Keris Mas received his early education at the Malay School in his village, before going to the Tawalib school in Sumatra, and the Muallimin Al-Islamiah College.
After World War II, he joined the Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (The National Malay Party of Malaya) (PKMM) wing in Pahang, and was actively involved in its branch in Singapore. In the party, he held the Information Officer post.
He also worked with several newspapers, such as the Melayu Raya, Warta Negara (until 1956), and Utusan Melayu in Singapore (as the Editor of Publication). He is credited with contributing a lot towards the development of Mastika magazine and Utusan Zaman, a Malay language newspaper in Jawi script.
He joined the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in December 1956 as an editor, and his highest post, before his retirement on 10 June 1977, was as the head of the literary development section. After his retirement, he continued to be a Penulis Tamu (Resident Writer) at the University of Malaya and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

[edit] Literary career
Keris Mas' main contribution in the field of local literature was in short stories. By the end of the 1960s, he had written about 60 short stories. His first short story was Wasiat Orang Bangsawan (The Last Will and Testament of a Nobleman), published in the magazine Suluh Malaya (The Malayan Torch) in 1946. His works are now contained in the following anthologies: Mekar dan Segar (Rise and Shine) (1959); Dua Zaman (Two Eras) (1963); Patah Tumbuh (What Is Lost Returns) (1963); and Pertentangan (Conflict) (1968).
He is also the author of four novels: Pahlawan Rimba Malaya (Hero of the Malayan Jungle) (1946); Korban Kesuciannya (His Holy Sacrifice) (1949); Saudagar Besar dari Kuala Lumpur (The Big-Time Merchant From Kuala Lumpur) (1983); and Rimba Harapan (The Jungle of Hope) (1983).
His works are distinguished by their themes of addressing social injustice and strong and lively characters that resonate with the reader.

[edit] Asas 50
Asas 50 (Angkatan Sasterawan 50) (The Literary Generation of 1950) came to existence on 6 August 1950. Keris Mas was one of the 19 founding members (comprising teachers and journalists) of the movement, which includes Usman Awang, Abdul Samad Ismail, Masuri SN and others.
With the motto Seni Untuk Masyarakat (The Arts For The People), it was inspired by the Indonesian writers movement, Angkatan 45, and has been described as a watershed moment for the development of Malay literature in the region[1]. Seen as an angry young men movement[2], it championed several aims:
To free Malay society from those elements of its culture which was obstructing or negating the pursuit of modernity and progress;
To advance the intellectual awareness of the rakyat (Malay masses) towards the ideals of social justice, prosperity, peace and harmony;
To foster Malay nationalism; and
To refine and promote the Malay language as the lingua franca of Malaya[3].
To that end, members employed a realist style in their writing, deliberately going against established genres that they felt were too preoccupied with stylistics and the trivial aspects of human life, thus not reflecting the reality of human life.
Keris Mas himself described the movement as follows:
"In the field of literature, the proponents of ASAS 50 adopted a new breathe of style, employing a mode of language that is fresh, departing from the preceding genre of writers, propounding the themes of societal awareness, politics and culture with the aim of revitalizing the spirit of freedom, the spirit of independence of a people (bangsa) of its own unique sense of honour and identity, upholding justice and combating oppression.
.... We criticised societal backwardness and those whom we regard as the instruments responsible for the birth of such backwardness. We criticised colonialism and its instruments, that is, the elite class, those whose consciousness have been frozen by the influence of feudalism and myths, and superstition that has been enmeshed with religion."[4]
It is still a registered body until today.
For more information on Asas '50. Visit Asas '50 website at http://asas50.com/

[edit] Awards
In 1976, he was given the Pejuang Sastera (Literary Pioneer) award by the third Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Hussein Onn.
In 1981, he became the first recipient of the Sasterawan Negara (National Laureate) award.
In 1989, he was also conferred an honorary doctorate in literature by Universiti Sains Malaysia (The Science University of Malaysia).

[edit] Death
Keris Mas passed away on 9 March 1992 from a heart attack at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, at 3am. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Roswita Ali and two children, Hayati and Amir, and seven grandchildren. He was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery.[5]
References
^ Malay - Our National Language
^ Modern Malay Literature in Singapore
^ Films as Social History - P. Ramlee's "Seniman Bujang Lapok" and Malays in Singapore (1950s-1960s) (MSWord file)
^ Keris Mas, 30 Tahun Sekitar Sastera, (Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1979), p. 131. Quoted and translated in Ibid
^ "Laureate Keris Mas dies of heart attack", The New Straits Times, 10 March 1992, pp. 1 & 3, col. 8

SHAHNON AHMAD

“I have a bit of a split personality,” says Shahnon Ahmad (January 13th, 1933; full name: Datuk Haji Shahnon bin Ahmad) in Amir Muhammad’s ‘Raising A Stink’ (Asiaweek; May 7th 1999). “People look at me and see a pious man, but there’s a repressed side which comes out in my writing. That’s when I don’t censor myself. I let it all out.”
In this same article, Amir calls Shahnon Ahmad the ‘Malaysian literary lion’. Literary lion or vagrant National Laureate -- depending on your sensibilities on scatological discourse -- our subject needs little introduction. A formidable talent and piercing intellect who is not afraid to say it as he sees it, Shahnon earned his reputation through works like the novels Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan and Rentong, several Literary Prizes -- and, most notoriously, the political satire Shit.
A Teacher and Scholar
Shahnon Ahmad was born in Banggul Derdap, Sik, Kedah. After graduating from Alor Setar’s Maktab Sultan Abdul Hamid, he began teaching at Kuala Terengganu’s Grammar English School in 1954.
From 1955 to 1956 Shahnon served as an army officer stationed in Port Dickson, but returned to teaching, holding posts at several schools until 1967. In 1968, Shahnon moved to Canberra, Australia and served as a Research Officer at the Australian National University (ANU). Here, he took the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree, which he received in 1971.
Returning to Malaysia, Shahnon lectured at the Maktab Perguruan Sultan Idris, in Tanjong Malim, before being offered a lecturer’s position at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 1974. It was at USM that he earned a bachelor’s in Literature, in 1975. Shahnon was elected Dean to the USM Humanities Department in 1979, elected Professor of Literature in June 1980, awarded a full professorship in 1982, and elected Director of the university’s Islamic Centre soon after.
Early Fame
Shahnon’s early short stories, novels, essays and criticism are cynical examinations of various Malaysian issues -- unafraid of taboo, he even wrote about sex.
After two novels, Rentong and Terdedah, he published Ranjau Sepanjang Malam (No Harvest but a Thorn). The novel cemented his fame, and was so widely acclaimed that it became compulsory reading for Form 6 literature students for several years; the work received a film adaptation in 1983.
Shahnon, in a preface to GATRA, a poetry anthology, wrote that ‘We are Malays, in a battle to assert our identity through literature’. He examines the Malay predicament in Rentong (Rope of Ash), a sympathetic picture of impoverished rural-folk in his hometown of Banggul Derdap, that emphasized the urgent need for development, and described the plight of farmers as not entirely the fault of the government -- an opinion that differentiated him from a generation of ASAS 50 writers. While the farmers of Rentong sought ways to earn an honest living, they were wholly resigned to Allah: pestilence or relief, it was all divine will.
Other Works
Shahnon has written over 30 novels. Works like Protes focus on the divine, while others, like Menteri and Perdana discuss Malay politics -- all in the author’s signature, laid-back style: a combination of original metaphors, Kedah dialect and repetition.
In 1970, Shahnon published the novel Srengenge. A work that Malaysia’s Literary Prize Panel declared Novel of the Year, Srengenge was an effort to synthesize traditional belief and modern psychology. Shahnon’s short stories -- in the anthologies Anjing-Anjing, Debu Merah, and Selesai Sudah; also in group anthologies -- have also earned him several Literary Prizes.
Later on in his writing career, Shahnon turned his attention to polemics about Islam, most notably in discussion with Kassim Ahmad about Islamic literature, as published in several issues of Dewan Sastera in 1984.
Shahnon published Shit in 1999. A marked departure from his previous work, Shit was an open criticism of the political climate at the time, with Shahnon lashing out in unbridled language, at the circumstances surrounding the sacking of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and that year’s general elections.
Somewhat unusually, Shahnon survived the controversy, and still continues to write his mind.
Awards and Recognition
1970: Novel of the Year, for Srengenge 1974: Hadiah Karya Sastera (Literary Prize) for essays and criticism 1975: Elected panellist to the Literary Prize Board 1976: Pejuang Sastera (Literary Pioneer) award 1982: Anugerah Sastera Negara (National Literature Award) 1983: Elected Panel Judge to the Literary Prize Board 1980: A Datuk-ship from the Kedah sultanate 1993: Professor Emeritus, Universiti Sains Malaysia
~~~
Loo Jia Wen is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer based in Kuala Lumpur. She also paints, potters, and writes about her travels. She hopes to be a food writer when she grows up.
This biography is an edited translation from Biografi Penulis Wajah (Third Edition), published by the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

ISHAK HAJI MUHAMMAD

Pak Sako

Pak Sako menaiki bas pergi ke pejabat
Ishak Haji Muhammad (14 November 1909 - 7 November 1991) atau lebih dikenali sebagai Pak Sako merupakan seorang penulis yang giat menulis sekitar tahun 1930-an sehingga 1950-an. Ishak Haji Muhammad adalah seorang nasionalis negara. Kelibatnya bermula pada era sebelum kemerderkaan dan pascamerdeka. Gagasan yang ingin diperjuangkan oleh Pak Sako ialah penyatuan Melayu Raya yang mana Indonesia, Malaysia dan Brunei disatukan dalam satu serumpun.
Nama Pak Sako bukanlah satu nama asing bagi negara kita terutama dalam bidang kesusasteraan. Pak Sako sebenarnya adalah jolokan kepada nama Isako-san yang dipanggil orang-orang Jepun. Nama sebenar Pak Sako adalah Ishak Hj. Muhammad. Pak Sako juga dikenali juga dengan nama samaran seperti Anwar, Hantu Raya, Isako San dan Pandir Moden.
Senarai kandungan[lipat]
1 Hayat awal
2 Penulisan dan politik
3 Utusan Melayu
4 Kesusasteraan
5 Anugerah
6 Kematian
7 Pautan luar
8 Rujukan
//

[sunting] Hayat awal
Pak Sako lahir pada tahun 1909 di Kampung Bukit Seguntang, Temerloh, Pahang dan mendapat pendidikan awal di Sekolah Melayu Kg. Tengah, Temerloh pada tahun 1919 dan melanjutkan pelajaran ke Sekolah Inggeris Clifford, Kuala Lipis pada tahun 1924 hingga 1928. Pak Sako lulus sijil persekolahan dari Sekolah Inggeris Raub pada tahun 1929. Pada tahun 1930, beliau melanjutkan pelajaran ke MCKK (Maktab Melayu Kuala Kangsar) untuk berlatih sebagai Pegawai dalam Perkhidmatan Pentadbiran Tanah Melayu (Malayan Civil Service). Beliau pernah memegang jawatan sebagai Timbalan Penolong Pegawai Daerah, Majistret Kelas III dan guru bahasa sebelum menyertai dunia penulisan.

[sunting] Penulisan dan politik
Pak Sako bosan dengan kerja sebagai pentadbir British dan mendapati hidup sebagai pentadbir British penuh dengan kepura-puraan, pilih kasih dan tidak mempertahankan kepentingan orang-orang Melayu yang dikatakan hendak diberikan perlindungan oleh pihak British. Dalam tahun 1934 Pak Sako meletakkan jawatan beliau dengan Perkhidmatan Pentadbiran Tanah Melayu dan menjelajah Semenanjung Tanah Melayu. Pak Sako kemudiannya menumpukan usaha kepada penulisan, politik nasionalis. Pak Sako dipenjarakan sebanyak dua kali (1948 -1953) dan (1965-1966).

[sunting] Utusan Melayu
Pak Sako merupakan orang yang pertama bercita-cita menerbitkan akhbar Utusan Melayu dan seterusnya menjadi pengasas kepada penerbitan akhbar tersebut. Beliau meninggalkan Warta Malaya dan menjelajah ke negeri Pahang, Kelantan dan Terengganu untuk berkempen bagi penubuhan Syarikat Utusan Melayu. Pak Sako bertugas di Utusan Melayu di bawah ketua pengarang Abdul Rahim Kajai. Semasa pemerintahan Jepun, Pak Sako menjadi pengarang Berita Malai.
Pak Sako terus tinggal di Hulu Langat walaupun bekerja di Kuala Lumpur. Untuk ke pejabat, Pak Sako menggunakan pengangkutan awam. Buat seketika Pak Sako mempunyai sebuah kereta Fiat semasa dia bekerja di Rembau… tetapi Pak Sako tidak memandu, dan terpaksa menggunakan drebar. [1]

[sunting] Kesusasteraan
Pak Sako banyak menghasilkan novel, cerpen, esei dan memoir serta turut menulis rencana untuk akhbar Kumpulan Utusan Melayu. Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia memperolehi lebih dari 1,000 naskhah koleksi kesusasteraan hasilan beliau. Di samping itu, beliau juga telah menghasilkan 2 buah karya yang terkenal iaitu Putera Gunung Tahan dan Anak Mat Lela Gila yang mencerminkan pandangan dan cita-cita beliau sebagai patriot dan sasterawan. Beliau juga bergiat cergas untuk menulis cerpen. Nukilan tersohor Pak Sako, Putera Gunung Tahan dan Anak Mat Lela Gila merupakan novel satira yang ditujukan kepada orang-orang British dan juga sebagai kritikan kepada orang-orang British. Pak Sako memberatkan kebudayaan Melayu dalam penulisannya, dan mengagungkan budaya Melayu dengan membandingkannya dengan budaya Inggeris yang kurang kualiti dan terlalu agresif.

[sunting] Anugerah
Sebagai menghargai jasa dan sumbangan beliau, Universiti Malaya telah menganugerahkan kepadanya Ijazah Kehormat Doktor Persuratan pada 29 Jun 1973. Pada 29 Mei 1976, Pak Sako telah menerima anugerah "Pejuang Sastera" daripada Perdana Menteri. Hasil penulisannya termasuk:-
Budak beca. Marang: Mohamad bin A. Rahman, 1957.
Judi karam. Singapura: Geliga, 1958.
Pengantin baru. Singapura: Geliga.
Putera Gunung Tahan. Singapura: Geliga, 1937.

[sunting] Kematian
Beliau meninggal dunia pada 7 November 1991 di Hulu Langat, Selangor.

[sunting] Pautan luar
http://library.mod.gov.my/WebOPAC/BriefDisplayRetriever.jsp?78942
http://www.pnm.my/new/melayu/koleksi/nadir.htm#sako

[sunting] Rujukan
Harry Aveling, trans., Ishak Haji Muhammad: The Prince of Mount Tahan, Singapore: Heinemann Educational Books, (Asia), 1980.
Harry Aveling, trans., Ishak Haji Muhammad: The Son of Mat Mat Lela, Singapore: Federal Books, 1983.
Ishak Haji Muhammad, "Ilham Mencipta Putera Gunung Tahan", Dewan Sastera, April, 23, 1976.
Diambil daripada "http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishak_Haji_Muhammad"
Kategori: Pengarang Malaysia Perang Dunia II di Malaysia

MALAYSIA

See - Arts & Culture

If you love sampling Malaysia’s arts and culture, you’ve come to the right section. You’ll get a list of places to visit – galleries, buildings and places – that will provide you with a taste of what’s uniquely Malaysian.
Fancy immersing yourself in the traditional Malay lifestyle? If so, then you’ll find much pleasure in visiting authentic kampungs on Selangor’s Banghuris Homestay or Dorani Homestay, where you’ll experience the hospitality and warmth of the locals.
Interesting structures like the leaning clock tower, which is our local version of Italy’s leaning tower of Pisa, can be found in Teluk Intan (Perak). There’s also the unique Mercu Tanda, one of Putrajaya’s landmarks.
Meanwhile, you’ll find many other monuments/ buildings around the country such as mosques, churches, temples, statues, towers and palaces – Istana Negara along Jalan Istana is a must-see when in KL. These are but a few of the sights and for those who enjoy architecture, your visit to Malaysia will be a rewarding one.
Arts & Culture in Malaysia
Air Hangat Village
Banghuris Homestay
Dataran Lang
Dewan Filharmonik Petrona...
Dorani Homestay
Galeri Shah Alam
High5 Bread Town
Kampung Pelegong
Kompleks Budaya Kraf
Kuala Lumpur Library
Light and Sound Show
Malaysia Tourism Complex ...
Mariwasa Craft Centre...
Mini ASEAN
Mini Malaysia
National Art Gallery
National Library
Perak Handicraft Developm...
Pulau Tiga Handicraft Cen...
Sarawak Cultural Village...
Selangor Islamic Arts Par...
Seri Tanjung Homestay...
Sutera Semai Center
Taman Lagenda Langkawi