Rosihan Anwar

Rosihan Anwar (May 10, 1922 – April 14, 2011) was a renowned Indonesian journalist and author.

Rosihan Anwar was born in Kubang Nan Dua, West Sumatra. Rosihan received early education at HIS and MULO in Padang. He continued his school to AMS in Yogyakarta and often participated journalism workshop at Columbia University, New York. His career began as reporter in Asia Raja newspaper while Japanese invasion. In 1947, he founded Siasat magazine. He also the founder and editor of Pedoman newspaper, which was twice forcibly closed by Sukarno regime (1961) and Suharto's New Order administration (1974), because of its vocal criticism of the authoritarian regime.

Rosihan was also an actor and starred in several movies such as Lagi-lagi krisis (Crisis again), Karmila, and Tjoet Nja’ Dien.

Rosihan Anwar was not interested in power, but more of conscience and of culture. He wrote criticism in local and foreign media. He was one of the founders of the National Film Company (Perfani). He well known as writer, and published 30 books and wrote hundreds of articles mostly in Indonesian. The last book he wrote Petite Histoire Indonesia was about Indonesian history.

He also translated Jose Rizal's poem My Last Farewell in Indonesian, and it was recited by the soldiers of Indonesian independence before going to battle.

Rosihan Anwar died in Jakarta on April 14, 2011, of heart failure due to old age.

External links

• indonesia.com