Poet, Novelist. Also known as "Tongkat Warrant," he is considered to be a national poet of Malaysia. Born Wan Osman Wan Awang to a poor family, he became a forced laborer in Singapore during the Japanese occupation. After the war, he joined the police force in 1946. He underwent training in Johor before carrying out his duties in Malacca. He left in 1951 and moved to Singapore, where he worked as a proofreader for Melayu Raya newspaper before becoming a reporter. He later worked at Mingguan Melayu as an editor, and in 1952, its daily counterpart, Utusan Melayu, began publishing his first poems and stories in both these newspapers. After Malaya's independence in 1957, Utusan Melayu moved its headquarters to Kuala Lumpur, and he also moved there. In 1961, he was involved in the Utusan Melayu strike. He later worked in the national language regulatory board, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka until 1985. In 1983, he was awarded the Malaysian National Laureate award. After his retirement from Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, he was active in several social activities, including initiating the creation of what is now known as the Institut Terjemahan Buku Malaysia (the Malaysian Book Translation Institute). He also headed the Friendship Society "Malaysia-China." He died of a heart attack in 2001. His poems include "Suasana" (Atmosphere), "Anak Jiran Tionghua" (Chinese Neighbour's Child), "Guru Oh Guru" (Teacher Oh Teacher) and "Suara dari Pusara" (Voice from the Grave).
Poet, Novelist. Also known as "Tongkat Warrant," he is considered to be a national poet of Malaysia. Born Wan Osman Wan Awang to a poor family, he became a forced laborer in Singapore during the Japanese occupation. After the war, he joined the police force in 1946. He underwent training in Johor before carrying out his duties in Malacca. He left in 1951 and moved to Singapore, where he worked as a proofreader for Melayu Raya newspaper before becoming a reporter. He later worked at Mingguan Melayu as an editor, and in 1952, its daily counterpart, Utusan Melayu, began publishing his first poems and stories in both these newspapers. After Malaya's independence in 1957, Utusan Melayu moved its headquarters to Kuala Lumpur, and he also moved there. In 1961, he was involved in the Utusan Melayu strike. He later worked in the national language regulatory board, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka until 1985. In 1983, he was awarded the Malaysian National Laureate award. After his retirement from Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, he was active in several social activities, including initiating the creation of what is now known as the Institut Terjemahan Buku Malaysia (the Malaysian Book Translation Institute). He also headed the Friendship Society "Malaysia-China." He died of a heart attack in 2001. His poems include "Suasana" (Atmosphere), "Anak Jiran Tionghua" (Chinese Neighbour's Child), "Guru Oh Guru" (Teacher Oh Teacher) and "Suara dari Pusara" (Voice from the Grave).
Bio by: Tasik Austin
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