Michael Pilo’s life journey pays off
This is the first of a two-part series on Michael Pilo Gangga’s quest for a better future.
Beads of sweat trickled down his face as the young Michael Pilo Gangga crossed the jungle to school. He was scheduled to arrive by 6 in the evening after departing from Po Ai Longhouse in Melugu, Sri Aman, at 6 in the morning. Despite being drenched in sweat and sore from carrying two gunny sacks of rice, he continued on his way to St Luke school in Sri Aman town.
Though this occurred during his adolescence in 1946, the memory remains with Michael, who is now 91 years old.
“Back then, there was no food at school. We had to bring our own. Then we’d cook them ourselves at school. I usually ate rice with salted fish or pusuk (fried anchovies).”
The nonagenarian also said that vegetables were scarce then, and nobody had supplies for them, “not unless we grow them ourselves. My teacher would tell us to plant cangkok manis in school so we could eat it.”
Even though school life was challenging, Michael’s determination did not waver. His goal to succeed had spawned the motivation to obtain an education, as he aspired to become a government official.
However, Michael was discouraged from pursuing an education at the time. According to him, most Iban parents would have preferred that their children stay at home rather than attend school. He remembered that his parents and their parents had no idea what school was.
“There was no term for ‘school’ in the Iban language. We were told to stay at home and learn how to farm.”
Despite his difficulties, Michael was able to complete his Sarawak Junior Certificate.
Man of many hats
His goal of becoming a government official was realised once he finished school.
“After finishing school, I began working as a Native Officer in the Sarawak Administrative Office in 1954. During that time, I was given the opportunity to take a three-month administrative course that included learning the laws and adats.”
Two years later, in 1956, Michael became a District Officer and eventually served as a Resident in Simanggang from 1984 to 1986. His contributions over three decades benefited the people of Sarawak, particularly those he served in Batang Rajang in Song, and Kanowit. Later, he received the Federal Award (AMN), a Sarawak State Award (BBS), and three service medals for his services.
Michael’s main contribution to society:
- He assisted in the planning of the infrastructures of the districts and divisions, which were gradually improved to become what they are today. During the communist insurgency’s peak, development was slow, and he had to prioritise fighting the insurgents, bringing peace and stability to his districts and divisions before development could occur.
- He was a Resident who played an important role in the resettlement of people in the Batang Air Hydro-Project areas.
- As Chairman of the Division or District Security Executive Committee, he was in charge of bringing peace and stability to the districts and divisions so that people’s lives could continue as usual. People can go to work, teachers can teach, and children can attend school.
After retiring, Michael ran for the Simanggang seat of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) in the state election. He was an assemblyman from 1986 to 1996. Throughout those 10 years, he was also appointed as Director of Tanjung Manis Shipping, Chairman of the Malaysian Pepper Board, and Director of Forescom Plywood Sdn Bhd. He had also served as a Temonggong for one term before calling it a day.
Treading dangerous waters
After having fled the terrible rule of the Japanese occupation during World War II, Sarawak remained without peace. The state experienced the Malaysia-Indonesia confrontation after joining with Malaya and Sabah to form the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
During the communist insurgency in 1962, the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP) was held responsible for racial segregation and disharmony in Sarawak. Their presence was felt in Kanowit as Michael, who was on the front lines, faced communist terrorist threats.
During that dark period, Sarawak’s first Chief Minister, the late Stephen Kalong Ningkan, described the communist ideology in a nationwide broadcast.
“There are two weapons of which the communists had used lately with some success: the starting of unfounded rumours and the launching of slanderous smear campaigns.”
As the impending danger descended on Sarawak, Michael clung to the walls of Kanowit. On August 18, 1963, Michael led the army to Sungai Ayat, Song, where 68 Indonesian troops were getting ready to conquer Kapit. The enemy’s invasion, however, was futile because their leader, Untung Segendi, was killed by Michael’s army.
Despite the fact that Michael had multiple near-death experiences, he never feared returning to the battlefield. He believed that God wanted him to stay alive to ensure Kanowit live in peace and harmony throughout his tenure as District Officer there.
Read part 2 below:
