Bio on author Soeman launched

Bio on author Soeman launched

PEKANBARU, Riau: The biography of Soeman Hs, who pioneered
detective novels in Indonesian literature with his Mencari
Pencuri Anak Perawan (In Search of a Virgin Stealer), was
launched here Thursday.

The extremely smart 370-page volume Soeman Hs, Bukan Pencuri
Anak Perawan (Soeman Hs, Not a Virgin Stealer) was written by
Fakhrunnas MA Jabbar, a contemporary writer from the province.

"I have been nurturing the idea of writing Soeman's biography
for a long time, and only now when he is already 94 did the idea
become reality," he said.

Soeman Hasibuan, the full name of Soeman Hs, spent his
childhood in Bantan Tua village, Bengkalis district in Riau.

At quite a young age, he taught at a Dutch elementary school
intended for Indonesians in Siak Sri Indrapura but he was then
banished to Pasir Pengaraian by the Dutch colonial administration
for singing the national anthem Indonesia Raya (Great Indonesia).

Jabbar said the writing of this biography has been made
possible by the considerable help extended by Riau Governor
Soeripto, who has always been very keen to support the project as
Soeman is also a Riau community elder.

It took him three months to complete the entire book, which
had a first-edition print run of 1,000 copies, Jabbar added.
(rms)