In June of this year when I was invited by the editors of the Borneo Post to write a regular column I had told them that I’d agree providing that I have the freedom to write about anything under the sun and that there would be no censorship – I undertook to self-censor myself! So here I am, 4 months later…
One of the subjects that I had wanted to touch on as an irregular series was to shine the spotlight on an elite group of Sarawakians, here and abroad, who have managed to overcome all odds and brought fame and honour to our beloved homeland – most of whom have remained either little known, many are unheralded – and they are still actively doing their own thing quietly behind the scene and in the shadow of the public eye.
That well known saying that a prophet is seldom honoured in his own homeland rings true in most of these cases.
In no particular order and in no ranking nor for any other rhyme or rhythm, here goes my list – from my own personal point of view.
(*Please note that none of the people mentioned here have any prior knowledge nor any indication of this article!)
Philip Yong Khi Liang
Philip Yong Khi Liang
Philip, 67, an alumni of St Thomas’s School, is the son of distinguished lawyer and co-founder of Sarawak’s first political party SUPP Stephen KT Yong & school teacher Gretel Ong. He received his university education in Canada and spent time in China and overseas before coming home to Kuching to start his own very successful travel business called Borneo Adventure.
He was most active in the promotion of Sarawak as a high-end tourist attraction; and had successfully brought in many high-value tourists from all over Europe, the States and Australasia. Philip had also served as the President of the Federation of Travel Agents and on government and NGO boards pertaining to the travel industry for many years.
In his own personal capacity he has been involved in the promotion of the local arts and culture, historical heritage and had in fact launched a unique ‘tourism product’ which had successfully helped local Iban tribes people to help themselves in setting up a tourist attraction longhouse project which were eco-friendly, self-supporting and at the same time profit-sharing – at Nanga Sumpa, Ulu Ai.
Philip is active in church work and many charitable causes and travels widely to promote Sarawak overseas – something he has been doing for more than 30 years! He is a true son of Sarawak.
Ann C.J. Teo
Ann C.J. Teo
Ann Teo is a lawyer by profession, she had studied at St Theresa’s Kuching and then at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. She is actively involved in promoting and creating awareness aimed at all Sarawakians towards their right to vote and also in empowering the rural communities in helping themselves.
She launched her NGO community called R.O.S.E. – Rise of Sarawak Efforts which mission is:
- To create awareness and empower Sarawakian voters
- to stand up for their rights as citizens
- Rural community transformation
- Free and fair elections
Her efforts have resulted in large numbers of new registrations of voters in the past 7-8 years. Ann is also a prominent leader in the BERSIH rallies as well as the PACA training sessions for helpers during the General Elections. Her success rate for all this organisational zeal and endeavour has proven results as she had in no small way contributed towards the increasing number of supporters and voters for the Pakatan Harapan new government in Putrajaya.
Hadzari Abang
Hadzari Abang
Hadzari, aged 63, is an alumni of St Thomas’s School Kuching and had spent his formative years mostly in Kuala Lumpur and overseas working in the oil and gas industry.
Local boy made good, he has nurtured his talent and skills and worked his way up the ladder and is today Chairman of the Board at the Bintulu Port Authority (BPA).
Hadzari has actively promoted through his many Facebook postings his thoughts about Sarawak and its future in the oil and gas industry – his ideas are filled with personal experience gained worldwide.
Sarawak’s very own integrated supply base to cater for the needs of the oil and gas industry offshore East Malaysia will be established at the Second Inner Harbour of Bintulu Port and is expected to start commercial operations by the fourth quarter of 2019.
This new integrated supply base will become a one-stop centralised logistic support centre to service the needs of oil and gas exploration, development and production activities in offshore areas of Sarawak.
This is the first time Sarawak has its own supply base despite the fact that we have been producing oil since 1910. There are three existing supply bases in Malaysia, with two located in Peninsular Malaysia and one in Labuan.
Hadzari will be at the forefront of this exciting new venture into the world of oil and gas at a most challenging time globally.
Heidi Munan
Heidi Munan
Adelheid Munan (better known as Heidi) hails from Weinfelden, Switzerland and she has called Sarawak home ever since she married Sidi Munan a well known figure who is involved in socio-political and the historical heritage of Sarawak, especially in matters pertaining to the Iban culture and history. Sidi also writes a regular weekly column for The Borneo Post.
Heidi is herself famous for being a multi-talented and renown authority on matters concerning the writing of books, articles and columns, arts and crafts, beadwork and native culture and numerous others too many to list down. She has authored a number of books many of which were distributed worldwide; she has also organised successful handicraft and beadwork seminars, fairs and exhibitions in Sarawak. She has written for world famous magazines and is well known for her myriad travel articles.
She has been instrumental and influential in most spheres of the local cultural and historical happenings, events and is much sought after as an expert in heritage beads, native handicraft and the written and oral history of the Colonial days including the Brooke era. Heidi had recently given a talk about the arrival of Bishop Francis MacDougall and the founding of the Anglican Church in Sarawak 170 years ago – and the role that our women folk had played since then.
Heidi is indeed a state and a national treasure personified!
I shall continue with this series of personalities from Sarawak who have shone their unique special light upon our beloved state in future articles. You, dear reader, may like to name or nominate someone whom you think I should shine a light on.