KUCHING: This year, Sarawak bid farewell to two extraordinary individuals who have left an indelible mark in the state’s history.
One of them was Seliman Bandang. Born over a century ago and from Rumah Mulok, Klua Krian, Saratok, Seliman had etched his name in history as the oldest man not just in the state but in the whole of Malaysia.
He was born on March 21, 1910 and breathed his last on Aug 19, 2023 at the age of 113. He was laid to rest at the Iban community’s Christian cemetery at Klua Krian.
The deceased is survived by two children, nine grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren while his wife had passed away in 1983.
Seliman’s grandson, Michael Bandang Tinggai, in a previous news report, informed that his grandfather passed away at 5 am on Aug 19 after being admitted to hospital in Saratok on Aug 10 with a fever and a lack of appetite.
His grandson reminisced fondly about his grandfather’s influential role within the family, serving as a figure whose wisdom and guidance were sought after by all.
“Anything we did before, we would ask for his advice first before any decision was made. He gave us advice and taught us the meaning of respecting others,” he was quoted as saying.
Seliman’s secret to longevity as he had previously shared was to always maintain a healthy diet and live a happy life.
Living a stress-free daily life, he was also reported to have completed the two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Michael also said his grandfather cherished a simple life and loves spending quality time with his children and relatives living nearby.
In 2021, Seliman had achieved national recognition by making it into the Malaysia Book of Records for being recognised as the country’s oldest living man.
Meanwhile, Kuching city witnessed the passing of another skilled legend, Ho Swee Nen, the city’s oldest tinsmith and a recognised icon.
Sadly, the well-known figure who was born in 1935 at Bishopsgate Street, here had passed away on July 17, 2023, at the age of 88.
Ho was known for his generosity, often giving pocket money to his eight grand-nephews and six grand-nieces when they spent time together.
Renowned Sarawakian mural artist, Leonard Siaw, immortalised Ho in one of his murals along China Street in 2018, near Ho Nyen Foh, the family’s tinsmith business which was established in the 1920s.
Then, in 2019, Ho was honoured where he was among 22 Sarawakian craftspeople who received the prestigious ‘Living Legends’ award by the state in recognition of his skills.
