Abdul Muis
Encyclopedia
Abdul Muis (Birth date unknown–17 June 1959), was an Indonesia
n writer
, journalist
and nationalist. He argued tirelessly for Indonesia's independence from the Netherlands
.
Born in Sungai Puar in West Sumatra
in either 1883, 1886, or 1890, to a leading member of the Minangkabau
and his Java
nese wife, Muis received a western education and studied medicine
in Jakarta
for three years before being forced to pull out due to ill health. Muis first found employment in the civil service, before switching to journalism and becoming involved in nationalist publications such as Kaoem Moeda, a paper he co-founded in 1912. He became known for his inflammatory articles, which were highly critical of Dutch involvement
in Indonesia. For example, essays published in De Express, a Dutch language newspaper, were highly critical of Dutch attitudes towards Indonesians. During the First World War he was active in the movement for greater automony for the Indies, and was a member of a delegation of the Comite Indie Weerbaar (Committee for the Defence of the Indies).
Around the same time he joined the Sarekat Islam
(Islamic Union). He became an active member of the organization, and was rapidly promoted through the ranks, becoming its representative to the Netherlands in negotiations aimed at obtaining direct representation for Indonesia in the Dutch parliamentary system. In 1920 he was appointed a member of the Volksraad (Peoples Council), which later developed into a semi-legislative assembly.Among the members of this body were prominent nationalist leaders like Dr. Tjipto Mangoenkoesoemo
, H.O.S. Tjokroaminoto
, Dr. Sam Ratulangi
, M.H. Thamrin, Wiwoho, Sutardjo Kartohadikusumo, Dr. Radjiman, and Soekardjo Wiryopranoto.
Muis ran into trouble with the Dutch administration a number of times. He was arrested in 1919 following the murder of a Dutch Controleur in North Sulawesi just after Muis had completed a speaking tour there. Not long after, in 1922, he led a protest strike in Yogyakarta
, and was consequently arrested and confined to the city of Garut
, in West Java
for a period of three years.
From the late 1920s Muis shifted his focus from politics to creative writing and in 1927 he initiated correspondence with the state-owned publishing house Balai Pustaka
. In his first novel, Salah Asuhan
(Wrong Upbringing), published in 1928, Muis depicted the problem of racial and social discrimination in the tragic story of Hanafi and Corrie. The Western-oriented Hanafi and the feisty, liberated Corrie represent the conflict pre-independent Indonesia faced in choosing either to adhere to traditional values, or to adopt Western notions of modernity. The novel has been described as one of the most famous of his works as well as among the most popular works of modern Indonesian fiction . The novel was one of several Indonesian classics to be included in the Indonesian Cultural Heritage Series published by Balai Pustaka in 2009. and, in 2010, an English translation (Never the Twain) was also published by the Lontar Foundation
as part of the Foundation's Modern Indonesia Series. Muis also published three other major novels, among them Pertemuan Jodoh
(The Destined Marriage Partners), published in 1937, and four novels in Indonesian translation.
He spent the latter part of his life in Bandung
, and was involved in the establishment of the Bandung Institute of Technology
.After Independence he founded Persatuan Perjuangan Priangan, the focus of which was the development of West Java and the Sundanese.
Muis died in Bandung in 1959, and is today seen as an important freedom fighter in Indonesia's history
. In many cities he has a street or "Jalan" (road) named after him. In 1959, in recognition of his dedication to the nationalist cause he was named a national hero by President Sukarno
.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and nationalist. He argued tirelessly for Indonesia's independence from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
Born in Sungai Puar in West Sumatra
West Sumatra
West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra. It borders the provinces of North Sumatra to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast...
in either 1883, 1886, or 1890, to a leading member of the Minangkabau
Minangkabau
The Minangkabau ethnic group is indigenous to the highlands of West Sumatra, in Indonesia. Their culture is matrilineal, with property and land passing down from mother to daughter, while religious and political affairs are the responsibility of men...
and his Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
nese wife, Muis received a western education and studied medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
for three years before being forced to pull out due to ill health. Muis first found employment in the civil service, before switching to journalism and becoming involved in nationalist publications such as Kaoem Moeda, a paper he co-founded in 1912. He became known for his inflammatory articles, which were highly critical of Dutch involvement
Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia...
in Indonesia. For example, essays published in De Express, a Dutch language newspaper, were highly critical of Dutch attitudes towards Indonesians. During the First World War he was active in the movement for greater automony for the Indies, and was a member of a delegation of the Comite Indie Weerbaar (Committee for the Defence of the Indies).
Around the same time he joined the Sarekat Islam
Sarekat Islam
Sarekat Islam, formerly Sarekat Dagang Islam, was a Javanese batik traders's cooperative in Indonesia.Sarekat Dagang Islam was founded by Haji Samanhudi, a businessman in Surakarta, in 1905 or 1912. His business was trading in batik, the traditional cloth made in Java...
(Islamic Union). He became an active member of the organization, and was rapidly promoted through the ranks, becoming its representative to the Netherlands in negotiations aimed at obtaining direct representation for Indonesia in the Dutch parliamentary system. In 1920 he was appointed a member of the Volksraad (Peoples Council), which later developed into a semi-legislative assembly.Among the members of this body were prominent nationalist leaders like Dr. Tjipto Mangoenkoesoemo
Tjipto Mangoenkoesoemo
Dr. Tjipto Mangoenkoesoemo or Cipto Mangunkusumo was a prominent Indonesian independence leader and Sukarno's political mentor...
, H.O.S. Tjokroaminoto
Tjokroaminoto
Hadji Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto was a nationalist, the first leader of Sarekat Dagang Islam in Indonesia.-Early life:...
, Dr. Sam Ratulangi
Sam Ratulangi
Dr. Gerungan Saul Samuel Jozias Ratulangi or Ratu Langie , usually known as Sam Ratulangi, was a Minahasa politician, journalist and teacher from North Sulawesi, Indonesia...
, M.H. Thamrin, Wiwoho, Sutardjo Kartohadikusumo, Dr. Radjiman, and Soekardjo Wiryopranoto.
Muis ran into trouble with the Dutch administration a number of times. He was arrested in 1919 following the murder of a Dutch Controleur in North Sulawesi just after Muis had completed a speaking tour there. Not long after, in 1922, he led a protest strike in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta (city)
Yogyakarta is a city in the Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. It is renowned as a centre of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and puppet shows. Yogyakarta was the Indonesian capital during the Indonesian National Revolution from 1945 to...
, and was consequently arrested and confined to the city of Garut
Garut
Garut is a town in the West Java province of Indonesia and is the capital of the Garut Regency. It is located about 75 km to the southeast of the major city of Bandung.-History:...
, in West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
for a period of three years.
From the late 1920s Muis shifted his focus from politics to creative writing and in 1927 he initiated correspondence with the state-owned publishing house Balai Pustaka
Balai Pustaka
Balai Pustaka is the state-owned publisher of Indonesia and publisher of major pieces of Indonesian literature such as Salah Asuhan, Sitti Nurbaya and Layar Terkembang. Its head office is in Jakarta....
. In his first novel, Salah Asuhan
Salah Asuhan
Salah Asuhan is an Indonesian novel by Abdul Muis originally published in 1928 by Balai Pustaka. It is widely considered one of the best examples of early modern Indonesian literature.-Background:...
(Wrong Upbringing), published in 1928, Muis depicted the problem of racial and social discrimination in the tragic story of Hanafi and Corrie. The Western-oriented Hanafi and the feisty, liberated Corrie represent the conflict pre-independent Indonesia faced in choosing either to adhere to traditional values, or to adopt Western notions of modernity. The novel has been described as one of the most famous of his works as well as among the most popular works of modern Indonesian fiction . The novel was one of several Indonesian classics to be included in the Indonesian Cultural Heritage Series published by Balai Pustaka in 2009. and, in 2010, an English translation (Never the Twain) was also published by the Lontar Foundation
Lontar Foundation
The Lontar Foundation, a not-for-profit organization based in Jakarta, Indonesia, was founded in 1987 by four Indonesian writers: Goenawan Mohamad, Sapardi Djoko Damono, Umar Kayam, and Subagio Sastrowardoyo and the American translator, John H...
as part of the Foundation's Modern Indonesia Series. Muis also published three other major novels, among them Pertemuan Jodoh
Pertemuan Jodoh
Pertemuan Jodoh is an Indonesian novel by Abdul Muis originally published in 1932. It tells the story of two students who are driven apart by their class differences, but eventually marry.-Plot:...
(The Destined Marriage Partners), published in 1937, and four novels in Indonesian translation.
He spent the latter part of his life in Bandung
Bandung
Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area in Indonesia, with a population of 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 metres above sea level, approximately 140 km southeast of Jakarta, Bandung has cooler...
, and was involved in the establishment of the Bandung Institute of Technology
Bandung Institute of Technology
The Bandung Institute of Technology or Institute of Technology, Bandung is a state, coeducational research university located in Bandung, Indonesia. Established in 1920, ITB is the oldest technology-oriented university in Indonesia....
.After Independence he founded Persatuan Perjuangan Priangan, the focus of which was the development of West Java and the Sundanese.
Muis died in Bandung in 1959, and is today seen as an important freedom fighter in Indonesia's history
History of Indonesia
The History of Indonesia was shaped by its geographic position, its natural resources, the series of human migrations, contacts, economy and trade, conquests and politics. Indonesia is an archipelagic country of 17,508 islands stretching along the equator in South East Asia...
. In many cities he has a street or "Jalan" (road) named after him. In 1959, in recognition of his dedication to the nationalist cause he was named a national hero by President Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
.
Novels
- Salah AsuhanSalah AsuhanSalah Asuhan is an Indonesian novel by Abdul Muis originally published in 1928 by Balai Pustaka. It is widely considered one of the best examples of early modern Indonesian literature.-Background:...
(A Wrong Upbringing), Jakarta : Balai Pustaka, 1928 - Pertemuan JodohPertemuan JodohPertemuan Jodoh is an Indonesian novel by Abdul Muis originally published in 1932. It tells the story of two students who are driven apart by their class differences, but eventually marry.-Plot:...
(The Destined Marriage Partners), Jakarta : Balai Pustaka, 1932 - Surapati, Jakarta : Balai Pustaka, 1950
- Hendak Berbakti, Jakarta, 1951
- Robert Anak Surapati, Jakarta : Balai Pustaka, 1953