Indonesian Legendary Writer, Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Nowadays, there are many Indonesian youth who have no idea about who Pramoedya Ananta Toer is. This is understandable. Although Pramoedya is one of the best writers Indonesia have, there is much controversy surrounding him. But, here I don't want to write mainly about the controversy. Now, I just wanted to write more about him.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer was born on February 6, 1925 in Blora, Jawa Tengah. Since young, Pramoedya already familiar with the world of writing. He wrote many books and short stories. He ever stayed in Netherlands about 1950. When he returned to Indonesia, he joined Lekra, one of PKI's organization which contentrated in art. In this time, he changed his writing style. He frequently criticized government indirectly through his writings. This act create a tenuous relationship between government and him.

In this period, he established close ties with Chinese writers. He is also a figure who does not agree the Java-based government and always ask government moved out of Java.

Just like all pro-Chinese activist, Pramoedya had a hard time in Orde Baru. About 1960, Soeharto government held him without trial. He was detained in Nusakambangan island, and then in Buru Island. Although the government forbade him to write, in Buru island Pramoedya wrote one of his masterpiece, Tetralogi Pulau Buru, semi fiction serial which consist of 4 books. They are Bumi Manusia, Anak Semua Bangsa, Jejak Langkah, and Rumah Kaca.

Nowadays, we know Pramoedya as a great writer who was arrested for being critical of government. He is a writer who is not recognized in the official history of Indonesia literature. He is one of the best writer Indonesia ever had. He wrote more than 50 works, and they had been translated into over 41 languages. He is also the only Indonesian who almost get Nobel of literature.

Along with his greatness, Pramoedya also well known because of his controversy. As we know, he was a Lekra's activist. Lekra was well known for its cruelty to those who disagree with them. Many Indonesian writers accused him as the person who also responsible for the cruelty Lekra did. But, there are also many writers who support him.

Pramoedya died in Jakarta, April 30, 2006. In his older age, Pramoedya still continues to write. He often criticize the government through his writings. He motivate us, the Indonesian youth, to write for our country. Media and writing are the ways we can chose to make a major change in history. Pramoedya had proven it. Now, it's our turn.