Ramadhan KH gets book about himself

JAKARTA: What is the best birthday present a writer could be given?

For Ramadhan KH, the answer is a book about himself written by his friends.

His fellow writers gathered on Wednesday for the launch of Ramadhan KH, Tiga Perempat Abad (Ramadhan KH turns 75), a collection of articles about the author by other writers, "mentors" and friends, including Rosihan Anwar, Ratmini Soedjatmoko, Sitor Situmorang and Mochtar Lubis.

Ramadhan, known for his biographies, novels and poetry collections, turned 75 on March 16.

The former journalist was the recipient of the 1997 Southeast Asian Writers Award and is an honorary member of the Indonesian Historians Society.

His biographies include those of former president Soeharto, Inggit Ganarsih, one of founding president's Sukarno's wives, and the late former military commander Soemitro. One of his novels, Ladang Perminus, touches on corruption in a state-owned oil company.--JP