Rama Kannabiran
P. Krishnan (Puthumaithasan)
K T M Iqbal
M. Balakrishnan (Ma Ilangkannan)
Muhammad Ariff Ahmad
J.M. Sali
Suratman Markasan
Hedwig Anuar
Suchen Christine Lim
Yeng Pway Ngon
Wong Yoon Wah
Wong Meng Voon
Tham Yew Chin (You Jin)
Pan Cheng Lui
Neo Choon Hong
Lim Hung Chang
Li Lienfung
Fang Xiu
Cheong Weng Yat (Zhang Hui)
Djamal Tukimin
Abdul Ghani Hamid
Chew Kok Chang
Ho Minfong
Goh Poh Seng
Edwin Thumboo
Kirpal Singh
Lim Thean Soo
Goh Mey Teck
Ismail Haji Omar
Masuri Salikun (Masuri S. N.)
Meira Chand
Lee Tzu Pheng
Catherine Lim
Arthur Yap
TributeSG
Suratman Markasan
Singapore Malay-language literary pioneer.
“Creativity and discipline must go hand in hand if a writer wants to make his mark in the literary field. It is like song and rhythm which cannot be separated.”
The Straits Times, 16 May 1991
Suratman Markasan is one of Singapore’s Malay-language literary pioneers. An educator, community leader, socio-political commentator, poet, and short story and novel writer, Suratman wrote about the Malay experience in Singapore, addressing issues from filial piety to displacement in his award-winning works. A past chairman of the Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union and head of ASAS ’50, he received the S.E.A. Write Award in 1989 and the Tun Sri Lanang Literary Award from the Malay Language Council in 1999. In 2010, Suratman received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to literature in Singapore.
Born in Singapore on 29 Dec 1930, Suratman Markasan grew up attending Malay schools in the ’40s, and worked as a trainee teacher in Sekolah Melayu Pasir Panjang once he completed his secondary school education.
He then attended the Sultan Idris Training School in Perak, Malaysia, graduating with a teaching certificate. In 1950, he returned to Singapore to teach at the Sekolah Melayu Teluk Blangah and also joined both the Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union and the Angkatan Sasterawan ’50 as a member. This began his long and illustrious affiliation with teaching and Malay-language literature.
In 1971, Suratman graduated from the Nanyang University with a Bachelors in Literature. By then, he had already published two novels and edited two anthologies of Malay-language literature. Although he had always been well-acquainted with the arts before he started publishing his work, writing would become a religious calling for Suratman after the death of his wife in the ’80s. He found meaning in the common issues of the Malay community and religion, and his honest and elegant writings focused on the challenges faced by the Malay community, reflecting critically on themes of race, identity, multiculturalism and nationhood.
From magazine articles to anthologies of poetry, and short stories to essays, his prolific body of work not only resonates with the Singapore Malay community, but overseas as well. Suratman brought his poetry to international poetry recitals in countries such as Osaka, London, Paris and Germany. He also held the honour of being the first Singapore writer to write for the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (The Malaysian Language and Literacy Agency), compiling and publishing Tiga Warna Bertemu, a collection of poems by 41 Singapore poets in an attempt to record the development of Singapore Malay-language poetry from the ’40s and beyond.
Suratman’s desire to help the development of Singapore Malay literature and language led to his being the editor of several publications, including Majalah Sasaterawan, Warita Suara, Ikhwan Darussalam and Khalifah Muda.
Away from his writing table, Suratman was also very active in several literary, language and cultural associations, providing his expertise as deputy president of Angkatan Sasterawan ’50 and Majlis Pusat, chairman of the Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union and information and publishing department of Yayasan MENDAKI, and docent with the Malay language and literature department in the Ministry of Education.
For his contributions, Suratman had been recognised by peers and awards alike. He received the S.E.A. Write Award in 1989, the Montblanc-NUS Centre for the Arts Award in 1997, and the Tun Sri Lanang Literary Award and the Nusantara Literary Award in 1999. In 2010, Suratman received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to literature in Singapore.
Suratman published his novel Dunia Bukan Kita Punya in 2011. He passed away in February 2024, but his work and legacy continue to inspire future generations.
Timeline
29 Dec 1930
Born in Pasir Panjang, Singapore.
1939 to 1941
Attended Sekolah Melayu Kampung Jaguh, Singapore.
1942
Attended Sekolah Melayu Sepoy Lines, Singapore.
1943 to 1945
Attended Sekolah Pasir Panjang, Singapore.
1946
Attended Sekolah Melayu Sepoy Lines, Singapore.
1947 to 1948
Trainee teacher, Sekolah Melayu Pasir Panjang, Singapore.
1948 to 1950
Attended Sultan Idris Training School, Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.
Jul 1950 to Dec 1954
Teacher, Sekolah Melayu Teluk Blangah, Singapore.
1950 to 1969
Member, Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union.
1954 to 1956
Member, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50.
Jan 1955 to Dec 1956
Teacher, Sekolah Melayu Kampung Jagoh, Singapore.
Jan 1957 to Dec 1960
Teacher, Sekolah Melayu Teluk Saga, Singapore.
1957 to 1969
Secretary, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50
1959
Published poetry collection Mekar dan Segar.
Jan 1961 to Dec 1964
Teacher, Pasir Panjang Secondary School, Singapore.
1962
Published novel Tak Ada Jalan Keluar.
Jan 1965 to Jun 1968
Teacher, Swiss Cottage Secondary School.
1968
Published poetry collection Pertentangan.
1968 to 1971
Attended Nanyang University, Singapore. Gradated with BA in Literature (Malay and Indonesian Studies).
1970 to 1976
Vice-president, Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union.
1971 to 1973
Editor, Majalah Sasterawan, an Angkatan Sasterawan ’50 publication.
Jan 1971 to Jun 1976
Teacher, Tun Seri Lanang Secondary School, Singapore.
1972 to 1985
Leader I, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50.
Jul 1976 to Dec 1979
Language and literature consultant, Ministry of Education.
1976 to 1979
Member, Society of Singapore Writers.
1976 to 1980
Special Inspector of Schools, Ministry of Education.
1977
Published poetry collection Persidangan Penulis ASEAN 1977.
Member, Judging Panel, 1st ASEAN Literary Award, Bangkok, Thailand
1977 to 1980
Chairman, Literature Prize, Majlis Pusat.
1977 to 1984
Committee member, Majlis Pusat.
1977 to 1981
Deputy president, Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union.
1977 to 1987
Volunteer Aftercare Officer, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association Muslim Counselling Service.
1978
Published poetry collection Cerpen-Cerpen ASEAN.
1979
Published novel Matahari Kota.
Jan 1979 to May 1980
Assistant Director (Malay and Tamil Languages), Ministry of Education.
1979 to 1985
Chairman, Literature Prize Committee, Majlis Pusat.
1979 to 1985
Chairman (Language and Literary Department), Majlis Pusat.
Jun 1980 to Aug 1980
Assistant Director (Additional Reading), Ministry of Education.
Sep 1980
Docent (Malay Language and Literature), Ministry of Education.
1981 to 1985
Lecturer, Institute of Education.
1981 to 1986
Chairman, Language and Literature Committee, Majlis Pusat.
1981
Published poetry collection Puisi Temasek.
Published poetry collection Puisi-Puisi Nusantara.
1981 to 1987
Member, Executive Committee, Yayasan MENDAKI.
Chairman, Information and Publishing Department, Yayasan MENDAKI
1982
Published short story collection Gerak dan Dialog.
Received Diploma in Reading Development from Regional English Language Centre
1982 to 1984
Chairman, Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union.
1982 to Mar 1994
Committee member, Malay Language Council.
1983
Published poetry collection Gema Temasik.
1984
Received Book Award (Malay Fiction), National Book Development Council of Singapore, for Gerak dan Dialog.
Published poetry collection Bahasa dan Sastera Nusantara: Sejarah dan Masa Depannya.
Apr 1984 to 1988
Editor, Majalah Sekata, a Malay Language Council publication.
1985
Retires from teaching.
1985 to 1987
Deputy president, Majlis Pusat.
Deputy president, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50.
Editor, Warita Suara, a Yayasan MENDAKI publication.
1985 to 1988
Leader II, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50
1986 to 1988
Pro tem President, Malay Language Teachers Association.
Jan 1986 to 1995
Adjunct lecturer, Institute of Education.
1986
Published poetry collection Jalan Permulaan.
1987
Published poetry collection Tiga Warna Bertemu.
Published poetry collection Temasik
1988 to 1989
Committee member, Malay Language Teachers Association.
1988 to 1993
Leader I, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50.
1989
Received S.E.A. Write Award.< />
Published novel Subuh Hilang Senja
1989 to 1991
Committee member, World Congress of Poets for South East Asia.
1989 to 1992
Editor, Warita Muis, a Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura publication.
1990
Received Book Award (Malay Fiction), National Book Development Council of Singapore for Perempuan Kerudung Hitam.
1991
Published short story collection Perempuan Kerudung Hitam.
Published poetry collection, Cerpen-Cerpen Nusantara Mutakhir.
Published literary critique From the beginning to two streams of social critique.
Oct 1991 to Oct 1993
Guest writer, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (The Malaysia Language and Literacy Agency).
1992
Published poetry collection Terminal Terakhir.
1993
Published poetry collection Potret Isteri Yang Hilang.
1993 to 1997
Editor, Ikhwan Darussalam, a Darussalam Mosque publication.
1994
Published novel Tiga Lelaki.
Received Hadiah Cemerlang award, National Book Development Council of Singapore.
1994 to Present
Lifetime member, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50.
1995
Published short story collection Pertemuan Kedua.
Published poetry collection Journeys: Words, Home and Nation Collection of Singapore Poetry.
1996
Published novel Di Bumi Mana.
1997
Received Montblanc-NUS Centre for the Arts Literary Award.
Published short story collection Stories From Southeast Asia.
1998
Published novel Penghulu yang Hilang Segala-galanya.
Published poetry collection, Memories & Desires, a Poetic History of Singapore.
1998 to 2000
Editor, Khalifah Muda, a Masjid Darussalam and PERDAUS publication.
1999
Received Tun Sri Lanang Literary Award. Malay Language Council, Singapore.
Received Anugerah Sasterawan Nusantara award.
2000
Published short story collection Kembali Kepada Al-Quran.
Published poetry collection Rhythms: A Singaporean Millennial Collection of Poetry.
Poetry collection, Pengucapan Puisi Dunia Kuala Lumpur 2000.
2001
Published 70 Tahun Suratman Markasan.
2002
Published poetry collection Balada Suluh Budiman.
Received Anugerah Tokoh Pujangga award, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia.
2003
Published short story collection Anak Bumi.
Published essay collection Citra Minda.
2004
Published poetry collection Puisi Luka dan Puisi Duka.
2005
Published Bangsa Melayu Singapura Dalam Transformasi Budayanya.
2006
Received Anugerah Khas, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50.
2007
Published short story collection Langau Menyerang Masjid dan Cerita-cerita Lainnya.
2009
Published book of children’s stories Agus, Sugus, osofogus dan usus.
2010
Received Cultural Medallion for contributions to literature in Singapore.
Received Anugerah Munsyi Abdullah, Angkatan Sasterawan ’50.
Published poetry collection Puisi-puisi Perjalanan.
2011
Published novel Dunia Bukan Kita Punya.
2012
Novel Penghulu yang Hilang Segala-galanya translated into English and published as Penghulu.
2024
Passed away at the age of 93 in Singapore.
Image Gallery
TributeSG celebrates the arts community’s most senior members, and those who have made a lifetime of contribution to the arts. These artists, administrators, educators, patrons, and champions include many Singapore arts pioneers who laid the foundations of the vibrant arts and cultural scene we enjoy today. The many profiles in TributeSG let us into the minds and worlds of these pioneers, and help us understand our shared arts heritage. When we revisit their works and rediscover their journeys, we learn where we came from and how we came to be. Collectively, their stories tell the tale of the making of a nation’s artistic identity.
In putting together this collection, the TributeSG team consulted an external advisory panel, consisting of Arun Mahiznan, Choo Thiam Siew, J. P. Nathan, K. K. Seet, Kwok Kian Chow, and Iskandar Ismail. Those selected to be profiled in TributeSG met one of the following criteria: they were at least 60 years of age as of 12 Oct 2016, or deceased, or had received national recognition in the form of the Cultural Medallion. This journey of arts archival officially came to a close on 12 Oct 2016, after four years of extensive research, interviews and collation of information graciously provided by the TributeSG pioneers, their families and peers. TributeSG also benefited from enthusiastic help from like-minded friends and organisations who supported Esplanade’s cause—to remember, honour and celebrate Singapore’s arts pioneers.
