(Tribunnews.com/Fx Ismanto)

Krisbiantoro's fans will no longer be able to listen to the veteran singer belt out the patriotic salute merdeka (freedom) during this Independence month of August.

The multitalented artist born Christoporus Soebiantoro passed away on Tuesday from kidney failure at his home in Cibubur, East Jakarta. The singer, whose hits included 'Juwita Malam' (Night Star) and 'Mungkinkah' (Is it Possible?), had suffered from kidney disease for almost 38 years.

Born in Magelang, Central Java, on March 17, 1938, Krisbiantoro was also an actor, comedian and presenter.

'Krisbiantoro was a multitalented artist. He was a songwriter, comedian, widescreen star and a master of ceremonies. He was once dubbed the most expensive ' I forget the amount ' and elegant master of ceremonies,' music observer Denny Sakrie said.

Krisbiantoro hosted a popular dance show, Dansa Yo Dansa (Dance Let's Dance), on the state-run TVRI television network. He joined the station in the 1970s after previously working as staff in the Indonesian Embassy in Australia.

Denny said that Krisbiantoro also wrote and popularized a children's song, 'Dondong Opo Salak' (Hog Plum or Snake Fruit). 'Many people think that the song is a folksong with an unknown creator. Actually, he was the writer.'

He wrote the song as an expression of his longing for his niece while joining an Indonesian Military's operations in West Papua in the 1960s as a volunteer. He received an honorary star from the government for participating in the Trikora operation.

Meanwhile, prominent pianist Ananda Sukarlan viewed Krisbiantoro as a genuine artist.

'When I was small, I had only two idols: the American conductor/composer Leonard Bernstein and Krisbiantoro. Both showed me that we can and should be ourselves while performing, even if we are playing a role or playing the music of someone else,' Ananda said.

'I never missed Krisbiantoro's quiz shows on TVRI when I was small, and I watched his performances both as a singer and an actor. Thanks and rest in peace, Krisbiantoro. We never met, but you and your artistry will always be cherished and stay in my memories!' he added.

Krisbiantoro is survived by his Vietnamese wife Maria Nguyen Kim Dung and two sons, Invianto and Ceasefiarto.

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