Dokarim awards Martin Aledia

Dokarim awards Martin Aledia

Azhari, Contributor, Banda Aceh

Writer Martin Aleida, a native of Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, was conferred an award from the Dokarim creative writing school on Thursday evening.

The Dokarim award is given to non-Acehnese writers for contributing literary work toward humanity during the war in Aceh.

The jurors of the award were: A.A. Manggeng, Azhari, Fozan Santa, Nezar Patria, Reza Idria and Wiratmadinata.

Head juror Wiratmadinata said Martin's three short stories Kesaksian Ganja Kering Basah Air Mata (Marijuana testimony wet with tears), Untuk Anwar Suaedy (For Anwar Suaedy), Tolong... Bawalah Murni, Bapak Aceh (Please, take Murni, Mr. Aceh) showed the author's sympathy toward the Acehnese and their plight.

Wiratmadinata said Martin had identified the Acehnese as seekers of justice who went to war not to win or lose, but for a greater cause of humanity.

At the award ceremony, Martin said, "Here (in Aceh), I witnessed those in power give up because of their own behavior. But pity those in power, because if they extend a hand to the people, to the destitute and the homeless, it will be rejected -- because the people know that with this help also comes decades of intimidation."

Aside from the award, the school also commemorated 15 students who had completed its six-month creative writing program.