Premier: Tun Jugah a key figure in M’sia’s formation

KUCHING (Sept 9): Tun Datuk Patinggi Temenggong Jugah Barieng will forever be hailed as one of the prime movers that led to the formation of Malaysia.

In stating this, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said despite the mixed reactions and also protests by the neighbouring Indonesia and the Philippines at the time, the Borneo states’ leaders – namely Jugah and Sabah’s Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun and Tun Muhammad Fuad Stephens – alongside founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman managed to establish a nation together.

Thus, the date Sept 16, 1963, symbolised the agreement between the leaders and the people of the regions of Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah to unite as one.

Abang Johari highlighted this at the opening ceremony for the ‘Mengenang Negarawan Tun Datuk Patinggi Temenggong Jugah Barieng’ exhibition at the Dayak Cultural Foundation headquarters here today.

“All the setbacks did not deter Tunku Abdul Rahman’s spirit and the efforts to make Malaysia a reality, as his good relations with the local leaders were put to good use in explaining the benefits out to be enjoyed by the people of each region.

“After a long process and with the spirit of camaraderie among the leaders: Tun Jugah from Sarawak, and Mustapha Datu Harun and Fuad Stephens from Sabah, the idea of forming a new country called ‘Malaysia’ was successfully realised, even without Brunei’s participation,” Abang Johari said his speech, which was delivered by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Adding on, the Premier also hailed Tun Jugah as a Dayak figure ‘with a very sharp intellect’, despite never receiving any formal education during the Brooke administration.

Nonetheless, Tun Jugah’s informal education in the Iban culture, proverbs, values and exemplary stories were gained from his mother and grandmother, making him a person who was wise in these areas, said Abang Johari.

“Among the admirable things about Tun Jugah were his sharp intellect and realistic outlook, even though he did not come from a highly-educated background.

“He learned Malay and English through his interactions with the communities.”

Abang Johari also said Tun Jugah was the first Iban to be honoured by the British government.

Meanwhile, the programme also featured a narrative by Tun Jugah’s son, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi, also the chairman of Tun Jugah Foundation, as well as Tun Jugah’s grandson Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the current federal Works Minister.

Also present at the event were National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and its secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam, and National Archives of Malaysia director-general Datuk Jaafar Sidek Abdul Rahman.