FRIENDLY: Salahuddin (third right) mingles with the traders and locals at Lachau town recently. His Excellency will celebrate his 90th birthday this Saturday. — Bernama photo
KUCHING: As a freedom fighter in the thick of action in the struggle for Sarawak’s independence from colonial rule, the man cut his teeth as a budding leader.
He was the toast to the people.
Today, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng continues to be one as Sarawak head of state.
On Saturday, the well-loved, much respected and twice-appointed head of state turns 90.
Abang Muhammad Salahuddin’s inner circle, including staff at the Astana in Petra Jaya here, describe the man as a people-oriented leader who discards protocol and is unfazed by medals or positions.
Born in Kampung Nangka in Sibu on Aug 27, 1921, he represented the Melanau community to voice their support on Sarawak’s participation in the formation of Malaysia, to the Cobbold Commission, an independent body appointed by the United Nations.
Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was first appointed as the state’s third head of state from April 1977 until April 1981, and then as the current and sixth head of state since Dec 2000.
Fit, healthy and wise, he has not failed to perform his official duties diligently, despite his advancing age, said his private secretary, Assistant Commissioner of Police Khir Busrah, when interviewed in conjunction with Abang Muhammad Salahuddin’s 90th birthday celebrations here.
“I once asked Tun his secret to a good life and longevity, and he replied that the heart must be sincere and one should treat everyone as his friends,” he said, adding that the head of state’s 90th birthday was made even more significant as he still commanded the respect and affection of the people of Sarawak.
As a police officer being seconded initially as his aide-de-camp, 11 years ago, Khir said he had never once seen his boss get angry but rather felt humbled that the head of state would be the one knocking on his office door to ask if he would be free for discussion or task.
Khir, 51, described Abang Muhammad Salahuddin as simple and down-to-earth, who liked to do nothing better than go to the ground to meet the people, be it at the Sunday market, coffee shop or five-foot path.
Apart from being an avid gardener, traveller, collector of cameras and watches, the head of state loves to tuck into his favourite local dishes, including kolok mee, mee sua, beef noodle, toasted bread and coffee at his favourite coffee shops in Jalan Sekama and Jalan Satok here.
The occassional golfer is also Sarawak football’s number one fan.
Abang Muhammad Salahuddin has so far officiated 10 investiture ceremonies this year, besides receiving 73 courtesy calls from foreign and local dignitaries at the Astana.
Khir also acknowledged the significant role played by Toh Puan Norkiah as the force behind the head of state’s position and well-being in the execution of his daily state as well as unofficial duties.
Valet Maskartomito Bakar, 30, said Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was a smart dresser and enjoyed being served hearty kampung fare, as well as local exotic fruits like dabai, engkalak, durian and pineapple.
Ahmad Jais Drahman, 42, said he was grateful to have served as his driver for the past 18 years as he was a caring and friendly boss, who liked to joke with his staff.
As the head of state’s personal bodyguard, Sergeant-Major Hassan Uteh, 57, vividly remembers an incident when Abang Muhammad Salahuddin narrowly escaped death when a falling tree almost hit him during a gardening excursion at one of his farms, several years ago.
“I accompany my boss on official trips abroad,” he said.
Abang Muhammad, who is blessed with 12 children, and 30 grand-children and great-grandchildren, was bestowed the nation’s highest ward — the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN) which carries the title Tun, by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on June 7, 1978.
He is the only son of the late Abang Barieng Abang Anyut, a well-known Melanau community leader in the then Sarawak’s Third Division and had briefly served as ketua kampung, following his father’s death.
Indeed, his involvement in public life and politics saw him contest in the first Sarawak general elections in 1963, which he won.
He was one of the founders of Barisan Pemuda Sarawak (PBS) and anti-colony movement and the Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak (Berjasa), a bumiputera political party that endorsed Sarawak’s independence within the federation of Malaysia. Before holding the state’s highest office, he had served as a member and later chairman of the state public service commission from 1974-1977.
He is still active in social welfare activities, besides being chancellor of the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, and patron of the Malaysian Red Crescent (Sarawak branch), Scouts Asssociation (Sarawak branch) and the Sarawak Government Pensioners Association. — Bernama