Poniman spent time as a soldier and truck driver before returning to the film industry in 1951, after Indonesia's independence, as a star of Dunia Gila.

As a youth he gained acclaim for his skills as a kroncong musician,[1] writing such songs as "Potong Padi", "Senja Sunyi", "Hening", "Pendekar Satria", and "Sumpah si Dia".

[3] Later that year he was associated with Oriental Film and took two supporting roles in the company's Fifi Young vehicles, Zoebaida (1940) and Pantjawarna (1941).

[6] During the Indonesian National Revolution, which began in 1945 and lasted until the Dutch recognized Indonesia's independence in 1949, Poniman became a soldier and bore arms.

After the revolution he spent time as a truck driver on the Jakarta–Semarang route, but in 1951 he returned to film, starring in Dunia Gila alongside Rd.