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)