Arena Wati

Muhammad Dahlan Abdul Baing (or Andi Mohammad Dahlan Andi Buyung) (30 July 1925 – 25 January 2009), whose pseudonym was Arena Wati, was an award winning Malaysian writer. He was declared as the Malaysian National Laureate in 1988. His writings were in the Malay language.

He was born in Jeneponto, Makassar, Indonesia. In 1943 at the age of 17, Arena Wati became a seaman. In 1954, Arena Wati became a journalist, and later served as the editor of Pustaka Antara.

He was married with six children. He died of lung cancer.

Works

Arena Wati's works often focus on the struggles of the poor and the disadvantaged. His work "Sandera" is widely viewed as one of the finest Malaysian novels.

• Sandera
• Rontok (1980)
• Eno (1985),
• Syair Pangeran Syarif (1989),
• Syair Pangeran Syarif Hasyim Al-Qudsi (1989),
• Syair Perang Cina Di Monterado (1989),
• Burung Badai (1990),
• Turina (1991)
• Citra (1991).
• Memoir Arena Wati Enda Gulingku (1991),
• Ombak Samudera(1992),
• Meniti Kala (1993),
• Panrita (1993),
• Sudara (1994),
• Mevrouw Toga (1995),
• Begawan (1996),
• Koleksi Terpilih Arena Wati (1996),
• Sukma Angin (1999),
• Getar-Getir Maya Kumpulan Cerpen (2000),
• Trilogi Busa (2002).
• Armageddon (2004),
• Kutukan Dari Langit (2004),
• Langkah Pertama Kumpulan Cerpen Awal 1954-1959 (2004),
• 7 Tegak Bersama (2005),
• Warna Sukma Usia Muda (2005)
• Cakra Waruga (2006).

Awards

His numerous awards included: the South East Asia Literary award - the SEA Write Award, an award presented by the King of Thailand, and his 1988 investiture as the National Laureate.

References

• "National Laureate Arena Wati Dies", Bernama News Agency, 25 January 2009
• A Makasar man; his works live on