KUCHING: A ‘Mengenang Tokoh Negarawan’ programme featuring the late Tun Datuk Patinggi Jugah Barieng was held at the State Library here yesterday.
It highlighted the vast contribution made by the former statesman to the unity of the people and nation building.
Organised by the Ministry of Communication, Information and Culture’s Malaysian National Archive Department, the programme touches on the many contributions Tun Jugah made to politics, social and culture in the state, and his role as part of the negotiating team on behalf of the Ibans to the formation of Malaysia.
“Tun Jugah made a very big impact on the people of Sarawak. Although programme such as the ‘Mengenang Tokoh Negarawan’ is held to promote national heritage and the country’s historic figures to benefit the people, it is still nowhere near to repaying the sacrifices and contribution made by the late Tun Jugah,” said Malaysian National Archive deputy senior director Daresah Ismail at the opening ceremony yesterday.
Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud officiated at the opening ceremony. Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing.
Daresah said that the department hoped that the nation, through such programme, would be able to understand the contribution made by the late Tun Jugah to the people and country and his role in the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
“However, the most important step to take now is to instill the patriotism spirit and love for the country. The people should also be inculcated to appreciate the contributions made by these historic figures.
“All the benefits we enjoy today are due to their sacrifice,” she said.
Previous programmes have featured the likes of Malaysia’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, former prime ministers Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn, and other historic figures that had contributed to the nation’s building such as MCA first president Tun Tan Cheng Lock.
Tun Jugah Foundation chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi the eldest son of the late Tun Jugah and former
PBB deputy president Dato Sri Dominic Andrew Dago were guest speakers at the programme. Universiti Malaya senior lecturer of the Arts and Social Science Dr Suffian Mansur was the moderator.
Tun Jugah was born in 1903 at a longhouse in Sg Merirai, Kapit to Barieng Gawing and Menti Melintang. He and his wife Toh Puan Tiong Anding had four children.
Tun Jugah’s leadership skills were evident when he was appointed Penghulu for the Merirai and Baleh area in 1928. He became Temenggong of Kapit on Feb 8, 1955. The same year also saw him becoming Kapit District Council chairman. His political career began when he became a State Council member on April 24, 1952.
In 1962, he founded Parti Pesaka Anak Sarawak (Pesaka) and led the Sarawak Alliance. He was part of the Sarawak delegation that went to London in 1963 to sign the Formation of Malaysia agreement on July 9.
He was also once a member of parliament appointed as Sarawak Affairs minister in the federal cabinet. Upon retiring from politics, he headed Majlis Adat Istiadat on Oct 1, 1974. He passed away on July 8, 1981 at the age of 78.