Riau: Jewel Of Malay Literature
RAJA Ali Haji, the brightest star in Malay literature in the late 18th century, died in 1808. But Malay literature did not go down with the death of this literary giant who was born on the island of Penyengat in Riau. While it thrived under the Dutch colonial government, Malay literature suffered a decline after Indonesia gained independence in 1945 when it found itself neglected by the central government.
Today in this era of reformasi, the Province of Riau has seen a resurgence of Malay literature that surprised everyone. While other provinces manage to produce only 12 book titles a year on average, Riau produces a hundred. Tempo looks into the phenomenon and traces the roots of the revival of Malay literature in the province.
October 18, 2005
That all work by the sword can be consummated by word, but not all work by word can be consummated by the sword. (Raja Ali Haji)
I have received with thanks Hikayat Sultan Abdul Muluk (The Story of Sultan Abdul Muluk) which you have, my dear friend, written in [Johor] Malay in so fine a language of poetry that amazes me of your wisdom and your understanding of the subject.
So, I will have the hikayat published in your name, my dear friend, so as to
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