Last Rajah Muda to be buried in Sarawak

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LOVE FOR SARAWAK: A file photo shows Anthony with an old Sarawak flag in the background.

KUCHING: The remains of the last Rajah Muda of Sarawak Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke will be buried here.

A statement from the Brooke Heritage Trust said in keeping with Anthony’s wish, his cremated remains will be privately interred at the Brooke Family Graveyard beside Fort Margherita.

This will take place after a public memorial service at St Thomas’ Cathedral on Sept 21 at 2pm, which will be presided over by the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of South East Asia the Most Reverend Datuk Bolly Lapok.

“The Brooke family, friends, dignitaries and diplomatic representatives from home and abroad are expected to attend this historic event to mark the final farewell to the last member of the Brooke Dynasty to have ruled in Sarawak, and a prominent leader of the independence movement,” said the statement.

The statement added that the Brooke family will be here for three weeks, arriving on Sept 4 as guests of the state for the 50th anniversary celebrations and remaining until after the memorial service.

A spokesman stated that all are welcome at the service, which in the spirit of Anthony, would be an inclusive occasion.

Anthony passed away at his home Rumah Brooke in Wanganui, New Zealand on March 2, 2011 at the age of 98.

Born in England in 1912, he received his education at Eton and Magdalene Cambridge, before pursuing studies in Malay and Mohammedan Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

His uncle Sir Charles Vyner Brooke was the third Rajah of Sarawak.

As Charles had no male heir, Anthony was duly appointed Rajah Muda and heir-apparent.