Yusuf Fansuri

Writer, Poet, Theatre Director

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Yusuf Fansuri was born on Friday, 5th of Zulhijjah 1394H, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. He has been involved in writing since the 1990s, primarily in the literary genres of short stories, poetry, and literary essays.

In the year 2000, Yusuf Fansuri and Zacharia Abdulmanan established a literary movement in Kuching, Sarawak, called Ikatan Penulis Muda Sarawak (IKATAN). However, three months later, due to technical reasons, IKATAN underwent a name change and was renamed as Angkatan Pengkarya Indie (APi).

The Angkatan Pengkarya Indie actively organized literary activities such as monthly poetry readings throughout 2008 and 2009 in Kuching Waterfront. At the same time, APi published several independent works for its members. Among Yusuf Fansuri’s published works by APi are “Trilogi EROS; Edan Waktu Kasmaran, Kembali Kepada Tuhan and Dari Kekasih kepada Kekasih.” This was followed by titles such as “Cinta Si Pemain Pedang,” “10 Peluru,” “Mabuk Cendawan,” “Romansa Pari-Pari Bisu,” “Ketika Doa-Doa Bersayap,” “Sajak-Sajak untuk Mia Amanda,” and “Tarian Sunyi.” His poem titled “Ramadan” was selected as the winner of the Sarawak Writer’s Award in the poetry category in 2003.

His works have also been featured in several anthologies such as “Kota Asas Tamadun Bangsa (2000: DBP Sarawak and PERWILA),” “Bicara Tanpa Suara (2006: KEKKWA, Kuala Lumpur),” “Ketika Gaza Penyair Membantah (2012: Media Karya, Pahang),” “Sulur Tiga (2017: PENULIS, Sarawak),” and “Tanganku Tembaga (2018: Pelangi, Johor Baharu).”

In addition to his active involvement in writing, Yusuf Fansuri has staged the theatre production “Wangi Jadi Saksi” in 2008. He has also participated in several art exhibitions organized by APi and the Sarawak State Art Museum in 2009 and 2012.