I

ndonesia has been given a new glimpse into the stories of the late Sutan Sjahrir, a national hero often marginalized in history, through a photo-rich biography launched Friday in Jakarta.

Sjahrir was, with first president Sukarno and first vice president Mohammad Hatta, part of the triumvirate that led the country during its infancy from 1945 to 1949.

The former prime minister was famed for his diplomatic skills as well as his pluralistic views. However, in 1950 he was ousted by former close ally Sukarno and sour relations between the two eventually led to Sjahrir living out his life in exile until his death in 1966.

He died a political prisoner, despite having once fought for the country's independence.

Sjahrir's name has hardly been mentioned in history books throughout the New Order and even since the downfall Soeharto.

But the newly published book, titled Sutan Sjahrir: Demokrat Sejati, Pejuang Kemanusiaan, or (Sutan Sjahrir: True Democrat Fighter for Humanity), as the last installment of the "100 years memorial" series for the members of the triumvirate, may help alleviate Sjahrir's name to its former glory alongside Sukarno and Hatta.

The book's author, H. Rosihan Anwar, said that at first he had trouble in deciding how to approach writing the book, but soon found a way to depict the figure in a way that is comfortable for him and attractive to new readers.

"I cannot write in a difficult philosophical manner, that's not me. So I decided to take a dramaturgical approach," the senior journalist said. "Sjahrir had noble dreams but they drove him to his death, yet also toward hope. I thought that using a dramatic approach would be an easier way," Rosihan said.

According to him, Sjahrir's life was a "tragic" one, yet the figure contributed much to the country's struggle and had impressive accomplishments such as his rise to prime minister and successful diplomatic moves.

Jaap Erklens, who selected the 100 photographs for the book, said there are several photos that have never been seen by the public.

"There's one in which Sjahrir is sitting in a classroom. It was taken from behind and the emphasis is on the teacher sitting in front of him," Erklens said.

The photograph shows Sjahrir looking over his shoulder with a surprised expression, looking straight into the camera while the photograph focuses on a caucasian man. According to the caption, the man was probably one of Sjahrir's "Dutch instructors".

Intellectual figure Ignas Kleden, who wrote the book's foreward, said that Sjahrir had been an impressive figure in his own way.

"Bung Karno gave special attention to the nation, Hatta to democracy, Tan Malaka to the republic, Sjahrir, I think, had been engrossed in culture and intellectual thinking," he said.

According to Kleden, the lack of a deep intellectual base nowadays has left the country with volatile politics.