Destined to Rule
In Sarawak’s journey to independence and its pivotal role in the formation of Malaysia, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Openg Abang Sapiee’s legacy as the first Governor of Sarawak stands as a testament to leadership and vision.
The late Governor came from an aristocratic family and was destined to rule the state
On a bright sunny day on September 15, 1963, a large crowd watched from the riverbank at Pangkalan Batu, as the last British Governor of Sarawak, Sir Alexander Waddell and his wife, Lady Waddell left the Astana at 12.30pm and were “paddled across in their gleaming white and yellow-roofed barge” to say their last goodbyes to all Sarawakians, before boarding the British frigate HMS Loch Killisport. Leading the dignitaries to see them off were the Governor-designate, Datuk Abang Openg and his wife Toh Puan Dayang Masniah Abdulrahman.
The proclamation
He stood silently up on the podium, eyes focusing on the sea of faces staring back at him. The multi-ethnic communities who gathered on the field of Central Padang (now known as Padang Merdeka) in Kuching, remained calm and silent.
Looking composed and deep in thought, the then Governor of Sarawak, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Openg Abang Sapiee, listened intently to the distinct voice of Khir Johari, the representative of the Federal Government, echoing through the loud-speakers. Khir was reading the proclamation of Malaysia.
A sudden wave of excitement and anticipation flowed through the air, when the late Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan, first Chief Minister of Sarawak, then took to the stage and faced the crowd. His statement would later be one of the proudest moments recorded in Sarawak’s history: “Now therefore I, Stephen Kalong Ningkan, the Chief Minister of Sarawak, hereby proclaim that Sarawak has this day attained independence as a State of Malaysia.”
This proud moment for Sarawak came on September 16, 1963, the same day that the late Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Openg, was sworn in as Governor of Sarawak for a period of two years. One can only wonder what went through the mind of this historic figure, when the proclamation was made — was he reminiscing or thinking of what future lay ahead for Sarawak? But the role he played as the negotiator leading to the formation of Malaysia with Sarawak joining the Malayan states, alongside Sabah and Singapore to give birth to a new federation on September 16, 1963, will always be remembered.
The formation of Malaysia and Sarawak
With communism spreading through armed struggle in the region, the British government had decided to pull out from ‘East of Suez’. This meant that the then British colonies east of the Suez Canal, such as Sarawak, had to adjust to a swift process of self-government and cope with the threat to her own security and economic interests.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj, then Prime Minister of Malaya, first hinted at the idea of forming a new federation enveloping Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei in May 1961. But there were serious concerns about the political stability and security of South-East Asia.
The British administration in Kuching and the local leaders who were preparing to assume the role of seeking independence from Britain were apprehensive especially with the Brunei rebellion in December 1962 descending into the areas of northern Sarawak.
The presence of the largest Communist party outside China across the Indonesian Border was also causing much anxiety. The objective of a new federation of Malaysia, as proposed by Tunku Abdul Rahman, was accepted without much hesitation by the British government.
With the concurrence of the Malayan government, the Cobbold Commission was set up to determine the wishes of the people of Sabah and Sarawak to join the proposed federation.
The conclusion of the Cobbold Commission was that 80 per cent of Sarawakians would support her entry into the new federation, on the grounds that there were necessary safeguards for the state and its multi-racial and multi religious population. The other 20 per cent represented the ‘hard core’ group who opposed the formation of Malaysia “under any terms and conditions.”
Following the Cobbold Commission Report, the British and Malayan governments issued a joint statement on Aug 1, 1962 to express any intention to end a formal agreement for the formation of Malaysia which would provide for safeguards covering such “matters as religious freedom, education, representation in the Federal Parliament, the position of the indigenous races, control over immigration, citizenship and the state constitutions” for the special interests of North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak.
The statement also announced that an Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) comprising of representatives from Sabah and Sarawak would be set up to work out these ‘special safeguards’, which formed the bases of the Malaysia Agreement signed on July 8, 1963. These safeguards included inter alia, complete control over the states’ natural resources like, land, forests, minerals both onshore and off-shore, local government, immigration, usage of the English language in judicial proceedings, state ports and more sources of revenues being assigned to the Borneo states.
These were ultimately incorporated or embedded in the Federal Constitution and also into crucial legislation like the Immigration Act, 1963 that was passed and came into force on Malaysia Day.
They formed the fundamental bases for Sabah and Sarawak to join Malaya and Singapore in the formation of Malaysia in September 1963. The forefathers of this nation had taken great pains to “ensure that Malaysia succeeded and progressed as a united and harmonious federation.”
The special constitutional safeguards had been intended to enable the Borneo states not only to preserve an acceptable degree of financial and governing autonomy within a federal system of government, but also to provide for conditions whereby the two states could secure political and economic development equivalent to those already set up in other states in the federation. These safeguards, therefore, were intended to foster national integration. At the time, the founding fathers had not factored in the possibility of any constituent states leaving the federation.
The man
It is hard to imagine the late Tun Openg being none other than a natural leader and the natural contender to be the Governor of Sarawak. Born in Kuching on October 7, 1905, Tun Openg is the son of Abang Sapi’ee Abang Omar, whose grandfather was the Governor of Sarawak before the days of James Brooke. A nobleman, he descends from a lineage of blue bloods.
Through his great-grandfather, Datuk Patinggi Gapor, he is descended from Menteri Hussin, the grandson of Raja Minangkabau, who was also an ancestor of the Sultans Mohammad Tajuddin, Hashim Mohamad Jumalul Alam and Omar Ali Saifuddin III of Brunei. He is also the great-great-grandson of the Datu Patinggi Ali of Sarawak and a direct descendant of Raja Jarum.
His career with the government spanned more than four decades until his significant appointment as Governor of Sarawak on September 16, 1963. Tun Openg married Toh Puan Masniah, in 1930, and they have four sons and six daughters. His son, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, now serves as the sixth Premier of Sarawak since January 13, 2017, taking over from the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who passed away on January 11, 2017. Abang Johari is also a member of the Sarawak State Legislative for the Gedong constituency. Another son, Datuk Abang Karim, is the president of Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
In 2010, one of his daughters, Datuk Dayang Madinah Tun Abang Haji Openg, was appointed as Senator until 2016, when her second term expired.
This illustrious man and founding contributor to Sarawak’s golden memories, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Openg Abang Sapiee, passed away on March 28, 1969 at the age of 64. The late Tan Sri Tuanku Bujang succeeded him as Governor of Sarawak.
BIODATA
Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Openg Abang Sapiee
First Governor of Sarawak from September 16, 1963 to March 28, 1969.
Born:
1905 in Kuching, Sarawak
Died:
March 28, 1969
Spouse:
Toh Puan Dayang Masniah Abdulrahman
Children:
⦁ Abang Abdillah
⦁ Dayang Mastijah
⦁ Dayang Meliah
⦁ Dayang Majenah
⦁ Dayang Majihah Abang Abdul Rahim
⦁ Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg
⦁ Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg
⦁ Datuk Senator Dayang Madinah
⦁ Dayang Murdiah
Education:
⦁ St Anthony, Sarikei
⦁ St Thomas, Kuching
1924 — Joined H.H. The Rajah’s service as a clerk and worked for several years at various outstations.
1932 — Promoted to Native Officer — performing duties in Sarikei; after that he became the Officer-in-Charge of Kuching district.
1940 — Appointed as a Member of the Council Negeri (until September 15, 1963).
1942 — Appointed as Kuching District Officer by the Japanese Military Government until
September 1945.
1947 — Served in Divisions 4 and 5 as Limbang District Officer
1950-1953 — Promoted to senior service before returning to Kuching as a District Officer.
1951 — Appointed Temporary Member of the Supreme Council.
1953 — Awarded the Datukship title and attended the coronation of H.M. the Queen of England in London.
1962 — Awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen of England.
1963 — Signed the Malaysia Agreement in London, and sworn in as Governor of Sarawak.
1964 — July: Awarded The Most Illustrious Order of the Star of Sarawak.
November: Bestowed the Seri Maharajah Mangku Negara, which carries the title Tun.
1965 — Term as Governor was extended by His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong for another four years.
1969 — Tun Openg passed away and was succeeded by then Tan Sri Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman.
