Mpok Ani

Ani Sahrani Syamsi (1934 – 2 October 1978), better known as Mpok Ani (also written as Pok Ani), was an Indonesian radio host and actress. She is best known for hosting Obrolan Tukang Sado dan Tukang Gado-Gado, a program produced by Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) in Jakarta, along with Bang Madi. In 1960, she became the second recipient of the Citra Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Tiga Buronan (1957).

Ani was born in 1934 in Tasikmalaya, West Java.^[1][2] In 1965, she started to became a host of Obrolan Tukang Sado dan Tukang Gado-Gado on RRI Jakarta, playing the role of the gado-gado seller alongside Asmadi Achmad Saputra, known as Bang Madi.^[1][2] The program began during the height of student demonstrations that challenged Indonesia's Guided Democracy, it addressed a wide range of social issues, including speeding, luxury, evictions, and daily life, using the vernacular of "sado" and "gado-gado," traditional Indonesian folk themes.^[1]

Using a relaxed and conversational style, combined with the Betawi accents of the presenters (despite neither being native Jakarta's), the twice-weekly program attracted a wide audience, including both lower-class listeners who felt represented and more prominent figures.^[1]

By 1970, Ani and Madi received over 200 letters per week, including information, praise and even threats.^[1][2] Criticism from listeners occasionally prompted changes to the program. By 1977, the number of letters decreased to around 70 per week, as RRI, like TVRI, aimed to broadcast predominantly positive news, a situation Madi later described, noting, "we are the government's spokespersons."^[1] After Ani fell ill, other presenters, such as Pok Mide, occasionally substituted for her, and at times male voices were heard on the show.^[1]

Ani was described as having a plump physique and a chatty, cheerful nature.^[1] She was married to Badar Syamsi Oyong, a trade department employee, and they had four children.^[2] Around 1975-1976, she developed kidney disease, caused by the failure of one kidney, which required extended periods of rest at home.^[1] Her health continued to decline over the following year, leading to weight loss and physical weakness.^[1] On one occasion, she recorded a chat show from the hospital, but only once, following her physician's advice.

Her husband reported that she lost conscious during treatment at Cikini Hospital in Menteng and died on 2 October 1978 due to the disease at age 44.^[2]

Among the mourners were Buya Hamka, the Indonesian Army Women's Corps, schoolchildren, the Cempaka Putih community, Mohammad Said Reksohadiprodjo, Mang Dudung (a Reog BKAK performer), songwriter Surni Warkiman, and colleagues from RRI and television.^[2] Thomas Sugito, Director of RRI Jakarta, delivered a eulogy, noting that Ani loved microphones because of her noisy and critical nature, which gave ordinary people a voice, and also highlighting her love of food.^[2]

Her replacement on the program, Warnida Anom (known as Pok Ida), recalled receiving critical letters from listeners complaining that her spices were not as flavourful as Ani's.^[2] She stated that Ani had advised her to always seize the opportunity to make spices spicier, a goal she continued to pursue.^[2] Ani was buried at Karet Bivak Cemetery, with dozens of flower bouquets marking her grave.^[2]

• Mpok Ani at IMDb