Keris Mas (10 June 1922 - 9 March 1992), born Kamaluddin Muhamad, was a prominent Malaysian literary figure and was one of the founders of the Asas 50 literary movement. His numerous contributions to Malay language literature (especially in the short story form) led him to become Malaysia's Melayu Boleh first National Laureate in 1981.

Born in Kampung Ketari, Bentong, Pahang, Keris Mas received his early education at school sick in his village, before I go to school in Sumatra Tawalib and Muallimin Al-Islamiah College.

After the Second World War, he joined the Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (Malaysia National Party of Malaysia) (PKMM) Pahang in the wing, and has actively participated in the Singapore branch. In part, he held the position of Information Officer.

He has also worked with a number of newspapers as the Melayu Raya, Warta Negara (to 1956) and Utusan Melayu in Singapore (as the editor of the publication). He is credited with contributing greatly to the development of the magazine and Mastik Utusan Zaman, a Malay language newspaper Jawi script.

He joined the Dewan Bahasa Pustaka than in December 1956 as editor in chief and their highest position, before his retirement on June 10, 1977 was at the head of the literary development. After his retirement he still Penulis Tamu (writer resident) of the University of Malaya and then Dewan Bahasa Pustaka.

As a Melayu Boleh Laureate, Keris Mas major contribution in the field of literature in the local short stories. In the late 1960s, he wrote 60 short stories. His first short story was Wasiat Orang Bangsawan (The testament of a noble), published in the journal Suluh Malaysia (Malay The Torch) in 1946. His works are now included in the following: each other than Segar (Rise and Shine) (1959); Dua Zaman (two periods) (1963); PATAH tumbuh (loss Returns) (1963), and Pertentangan (Conflict) (1968) .

He is also the author of four novels: Pahlawan Rimba Malaya (Malay Hero of the Jungle) (1946); Kesuciannya Korban (the Holy Sacrifice Feast) (1949), Saudagar Besar dari Kuala Lumpur (The Big-Time Market Kuala Lumpur) (1983 ), and Rimba Harapan (The Jungle of Hope) (1983).

This Melayu Boleh Laureate works are characterized by their themes to tackle social injustice and a strong and vibrant characters that resonate with the reader.

In 1976, Keris Mas was given the Pejuang Sastera (Literary Pioneer) award by the third Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Hussein Onn.

In 1981, he became the first recipient of the Sasterawan Negara (National Laureate) award.

In 1989, he was also conferred an honorary doctorate in literature by Universiti Sains Malaysia (The Science University of Malaysia).

Keris Mas died on 9 March 1992 from a heart attack at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, at 3am. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Roswita Ali and two children, Hayati and Amir, and seven grandchildren. He was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery.


Credit : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keris_Mas