DATO SRI EDMUND LANGGU ANAK SAGA

Dato Sri Edmund Langgu Anak Saga, 74 was born at Rumah Ulak, Sungai Kelampai in the Saratok land district. He is a descendant of Orang Kaya Beti from Padeh, Betong, Sarawak. He joined the Batu Lintang Teacher’s Training College in Kuching and latee taughts for several years. Before Malaysia was formed in 1963, he decided to enter the political arena and was being elected as a district councillor and the divisional Advisory Councillor with the Second Division of Sarawak.
During the general election, he was elected as the Member of Parliarment for Saratok - a seat that he held for a period of almost twenty five years. He also held several portfolios over the last four decades as a Deputy Federal Minister and as well as a Malaysian National Opposition leader. He was also the assemblyman for Krian constituency for the period of two five year terms.
He has held several important positions in two political parties as a secretary-general and a vice president for both the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).
Dato Sri Edmund Langgu also held other posts, including as a Chairman of The Malaysian Pepper Marketing Board, Chairman of The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board of Sarawak, as a Member of The Malaysian Public Accounts Committee, Sarawak, Brooke Dockyard Board and Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
Currently Dato Sri Edmund Langgu is a consultant with The Tun Jugah Foundation, where he is as an editor and contributor on research and studies on Iban language, culture and tradition. He is also a chariman of a new comprehensive Iban dictionary, scheduled for publication by the Foundation sometime in the near future. With his deep Knowledge of and personnel experience in the Iban culture, history, song, proverbs, law, language and tradition, he has been invited to give talks and is a regular speaker on Radio Malaysia Sarawak.

JAMES RITCHIE

James Ritchie, 60, ia a journalist of 35 tears. He was recruited as a cadet reporter by the New Strait Times in 1972 and he worked as a sports reporter before joining the NST Crime Desk in Kuala Lumpur. After a two year stint as the Seremban correspondent he was transferred to Kuching as NSTs correspondent. During his 28 years on Sarawak, Ritchie has written numerous stories, articles and special reports on local affaiers.
He later joined the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Department as a Public Relation Officer, the Borneo Post as a media consultant and at various times worked for the Sarawak Tribune, Borneo Post, The Star and Eastern Times.
Ritchie has a penchant for writing about politics, famous Sarawak personalities and historical figures. He has authored several books including Bruno Manser: The Inside Story, A Gentleman’s victory for Taib Mahmud, A political Saga, Sarawak Awakens – Politics Of Development, Changes and Challenges 1998, Life Story of Temenggong Koh, Honour Before Self, Tun Ahmad Zaidi – Son Of Sarawak, Man Eating Crocodiles of Borneo, Abdul Taib Mahmud – 41 Years in News, Who Gives a Dam – The Bakun Odysey, Limbang – the Crown Jewel of Sarawak and Temenggong Oyong Lawai Jau – A Paramount Chief of The Baram.

LIBAU RENTAP FAMILY TREE

END OF RENTAP’S POWER

When Libau RENTAP realised that it was useless for him to defend the fortress of Bukit Sadok any longer, he commanded his war men to leave it from the opposite side of the mountain. Now the attacking party of Tuan Muda Charles Brooke under cover of the musket shot, rushed over the neck of the rock and entered the fortress through the holes made by the shots from “Bujang Sadok”.
They found that Libau RENTAP and his war men had escaped except for the dead and dying. Inside the fortress they also found the arms captured by Libau RENTAP when he fought against Alan Lee and William Brereton at Lintang Batang stockade in 1853. A large quantity of gun powder and the famous one armed iron cannon named the “Bujang Timpang Berang”. That afternoon the Sarawak Government Forces attacking party burnt down Libau RENTAP fortress at Bukit Sadok. A guns was fired and in ten minutes a tongue of flame shot up into the sky with thick black smokes. At dusk the summit of Bukit Sadok was seen burning for miles and miles away. It marked the end of Libau RENTAP’s power over the White Rajah’s and his long career as a great Dayak Iban war leader where he got the title of Raja Ulu, but he won’t surrender his life to the White Rajah’s.
Libau RENTAP and his war men did not surrender but retreated to Bukit Lanjak Entimau at the headwaters of Batang Skrang, Lemanak and Engkari. He then moved down to the Ulu Entabai the branch of Kanowit and Julau and made another fortress at Bukit Setulak. At his old ages he moved to Karangan Panggil in Ulu Wak, Pakan and died at old ages in the year 1870. He was not buried, but his remains was kept according to the symbol of the Dayak Iban warrior, but honourably laid down to rest in peace in a mortuary known by the Dayak Iban as “Lumbong”.
His tomb, the “Lumbong” is still intact today located at the summit of Bukit Sibau at the headwaters of Budu/Kabo River of Saratok and Wak River of Pakan. His remains was before kept in a large ceramic jar but it was later placed inside a coffin after the reburial of his remains was done in October, 1989 which was done by the Sarawak State Government in the Dayak Iban traditional heroes burial ceremony named Gawai Ngelombong.
Libau RENTAP’s principal enemy, Sir James Brooke the first White Rajah of Sarawak was born in India on 29th.april, 1803. he was proclaimed the Rajah of Sarawak on 24th.September, 1841 and retired due to ill health in 1863, about two years later after the defeat of Libau RENTAP at Bukit Sadok on 25th.October,1861. He died at Burrator, England on 11th.June,1868 at the age of sixty five and buried at Sheepstor Churchyard.
Another principal enemy of Libau RENTAP’s was Sir Charles Brooke, the Second White Rajah of Sarawak who was born on 3rd.June,1829 at Berrow Vicarage near Burnham, Somersethire, England. He was proclaimed Rajah in place of his uncle Sir James Brooke on 3rd.August,1868. he died on 17th.May,1917 at ther age of eighty eight and was buried beside the tomb of his uncle, Sir James Brooke.
Nanang who plaed a key role at the time of the final Sadok War Expedition on 28th.October,1861 received his father’s title of “Orang Kaya Pemancha” from the Second White Rajah, Sir Charles Brookeat a ceremony at Fort Alice at Simanggang (now known as Sri Aman) in 1882. he served the Government Of Sarawak as a member of the Supreme Council representing the people of Upper Saribas until his death in 1901. he was succeeded by his son, Penghulu Insoll of Buloh Antu, Padeh until 1912.
Libau RENTAP was a man of principal. He swore that he would never see the face of a White Man again in his life. He met several defeats but never surrendered. He had been branded as a great rebelious Dayak Iban War Leader, hunted high and low and yet he manged to live until he met his natural death during the period of his retirement from active war fighting. He fought gallantly defending his country land and his people from several attacks made by the intruders until his whole power was broken on 28th.October,1861 but not his life.
His name is still mentioned and remembered today as a great Dayak Iban Chief and Dayak Iban War Leader and aslo the the Hero Of Bukit Sadok in the history of Sarawak and Malaysia.

THE THIRD BUKIT SADOK WAR EXPEDITION IN THE YEAR 1861

After the death of their famous brother Aji Apai Limpa, the other two well known brothers named Nanang and Luyoh, the sons of Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang strongly supported Libau RENTAP. They built a stockade at another ridge below the fortress of Libau RENTAP’s at Bukit Sadok.
According to the written record, Libau RENTAP had descended from his strong hold on the Bukit Sadok and he carried off a young girl and made her the Rani of Bukit Sadok.
It was resolved in September, 1861 that the Sarawak Government Forces under the command of Tuan Muda Charles Brooke should finally attack Bukit Sadok for the third time. Thus on 16th.October,1861 the war expedition was ready to go up the Batang Saribas and destroy Libau RENTAP. In addition to the usual party of the Malays and the Dayaks there were also some twenty Chinese labourers to make their paths through the thick jungle and to carry a large twelve pounder brass cannon specially cast for the ocassion in Kuching. The cannon was given the name of “Bujang Sadok”. It is still on display at the Police Museum in the Fort Margherita in Kuching.
On the 20th.October,1861 the Sarawak Government Forces led by the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke sent two messengers (seruan), named Jabu and Ngadan of Bangat, Betong to summon Nanang and Luyoh to a meeting which led to their submission. Their submission was accepted by Tuan Muda Charles Brooke on condition that they would pay a fine of forty valuable ceramic jars named “Tajau Rusa”. The ceramic jars were retained by the Government of Sarawak at Skrang Fort for three years. Nanang and Luyoh kept their promises and remained loyal to the rule of the White Rajah. Eventually the ceramic jars were returned to them after that.
When Libau RENTAP heard about the two brothers of Nanang and Luyoh had surrendered without consulting him first , he was very angry and sent down a party of his men to burnt down their longhouses which was closed to his fortress at the Bukit Sadok.
The Tuan Muda Charles Brooke detailed sixty men to carry the twelve pounder brass canon named “Bujang Sadok” up the mountain of Bukit Sadok It took them four hours to reach the summit of Bukit Sadok, fortunately Libau RENTAP did not attack them on their way.
At half past four in the morning of 28th.October,1861 the “Bujang Sadok” was placed in position ready for action to destroy Libau RENTAP. But due to a dense mist at that early hours the cannon could not be used. When the mist was cleared away after half past seven, a strong wind came and rendered the rocket useless. Later on “Bujang Sadok” was put into action but after the seventeenth round , the carriage gave way. However, it had done part of its duty in tearing away certain parts of the stockade of the Libau RENTAP Bukit Sadok fortress.
Libau RENTAP returned the fire with famous one armed iron cannon named “Bujang Timpang Berang” which was formerly belonging to Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang, the father of Nanang and Luyoh. According to the story , Libau RENTAP’s gunner was killed by a shot from “Bujang Sadok”. His blood soaked the gunpowder which put “Bujang Timpang Berang” out of action.

THE SECOND BUKIT SADOK WAR EXPEDITION IN THE YEAR 1858

After the death of Dayak Iban Warrior named Aji Apai Limpa, the large group of the Sarawak Forces erected a small stockde at Nanga Sungai Langit. From Nanga Sungai Langit they pushed on to the Nanga Tiga at the Upper Layar River. Nanga Tiga meant the three river mounth, which one of it flows from the Bukit Sadok, one from the watershed where rises the Kanowit River and Julau River, and the third main the Layar River.
Here the Sarawak Forces left their long paddle war boats and erected a stout stockade. Then they moved advanced up-country with Tuan Muda Charles Brooke who was in command of this second Bukit Sadok War Expedition in the year 1858 to defeat and capture the strong and bravest Dayak Iban War Leader Libau RENTAP. From Nanga Tiga they proceeded to Ulu Julau to attack Mujah “Buah Raya”. Here they defeated Mujah “Buah Raya” and they burnt their longhouses and destroyed the surrounding padi fields belonging to the Ibans. It was indeed a barbarious act by the Sarawak Forces. Women and childrens suffered greatly due to the loss of their homes and padi fields, and also their staple food.
After the return of the ravaging party , the Sarawak Forces marched toward Bukit Sadok. In this expedition they carried along a small mortar with them up the mountain. After half past ten in the morning they reached the summit of Bukit Sadok. Libau RENTAP and his war men were ready to defend themselves against the attack. The attacking party had erected a small stockade within firing distance from the Libau RENTAP fort. They fired fifty rounds of shell which made a little effect on the well fortified fort. Libau RENTAP had not returned the fire, and the place seemed to be deserted.
Then some of the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke men have already moved very close to the stockade and then Libau RENTAP and his war men opened fire on them. The Libau RENTAP stockade was too strong for them to attack. Then some of the war chiefs on the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke side begged him to stop attacking Libau RENTAP, saying “We cannot pull down the planks with our own hands, we cannot climb over them and our small gun and musket shots make no effect on them.” Thus they decided to abandon the attack. The retreat began at once. This made Libau RENTAP felt more hilarious and he mocked them by saying “Bring all your fire guns from England and we are not afraid of you.” He and his men threatened and followed the retreating party down the hill with the discharge of guns, spears and poison arrows.
Thus ended the Second Bukit Sadok War Expedition. It was again a total failure on the part of the White Man. Their mortar seemed useless as it could not penetrate and destroy Libau RENTAP’s fortress which was impregnable. He won the battle and the White Man made no further attempts on his fortress until the year 1861.

THE HISTORY OF AJI APAI LIMPA

It was reported to the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke in Skrang in April 1858 that Aji Apai Limpa, the second son of Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana and his supporters, Lintong Moahari a Julau Chief with a fleet of forty bangkong (Iban long paddle warboats) were ready to go down the Batang Saribas to raid the coastal areas.
When Tuan Muda charles Brooke heard the news he called for the aid from Kuching. In the meant time, he left Skrang in his big boat with sixty men and a three-pounder gun in her bows. While arriving at Lingga he found that the small gun boat named Jolly Bachelor, command by John Channon was waiting for him there. They went up the Saribas with a picked crew and several native bangkong was following behind.
They went as far as Nanga Padeh near the longhouse of Aji Apai Limpa longhouse and his brother , Nanang. From there they attacked Aji’s longhouse. His fort (Kuta) was not strong enough, and he lost a number of fighting men and their long houses were destroyed. Fortunately for Aji Apai Limpa , cholera had spread in the area, and this forced the attacking party of Tuan Muda Charles Brooke to retreat.
Tuan Muda Charles Brooke decided to construct a fort (Kubu) at a commanding position on the bank of the Saribas River. The fort was soon built at a place originally known as Rantau Anak which is now called Betong. The Saribas fort was later named as Fort Lily. A young god-son of Rajah James Brooke by the name of James Brooke Cruickshank was put in charge of the new station.
Fort Lily which was constructed in the year 1858 is the oldest fort built in Sarawak. It had been rebulit many times through the years and it have been used as the administrative headquaters of the Saribas District in Betong before. Leaving James brooke Cruickshank in charge of the new fort, the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke returned to the Skrang District. He then heard that Linggir Mali Lebu was leading a war expedition (Ngayau) to raid the Malays villages in the coastal areas. He immediately sent orders for the Balau Ibans to ambush them at Meludam. During the battle Linggir Mali Lebu lost fourteen men and he himself was wounded. Thus he had a narrow escape to safe himself.
In retaliation to the attack on their longhouses, Aji Apai Limpa and Lintong Moahari led a full forces of his war men on 14th.July,1858 with the mission to destroying the Fort Lily at Betong.
But James Brooke Cruickshank aided by Panglima Bakir and his warriors managed to drive them back. Before the end of 1858 the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke once again organised a big scale war expedition against Aji Apai Limpa and his allies in retaliation to the attack on the Fort Lily. The Tuan Besar Captain Brooke Brooke who commanded this war expedition led the advance party from Kuching, while the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke led the main war men which comprising 200 Malays and 2,000 Dayaks to fight for them in the war.
When Aji Apai Limpa saw that a large enemy forces was advancing paddling their long war boat up the Sungai Layar, he ordered his men to fell a large trees standing low on the river banks so as to fall across and block the passage on the Sungai Layar. This barrier had been done for several mile along the Layar River. Aji Apai Limpa did not form them into pengerebah (blockade), but left all the trees to lie anywhere they felt in the river. (Pengerebah is a method employed by the Dayak Ibans to hinder the progress of an enemy to paddled their long war boat up the river. The trees inclining to the river are cut to breaking point, and sustained by means of rotans. Within a moment the rotans can be cut and the trees will fall and crush the enemy while they were passing by in their long war boats.)
Despite the obstruction the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men managed to proceed themselves upstream, but with many difficulties, and after a few days of hard works, they reached the Sungai Langit. Here the Dayak Ibans under the command of Aji Apai Limpa attacked the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men named the Sarawak forces. Heavy war battle took place, and during the engagement Aji Apai Limpa gallantly dashed forward to attacked the enemies with his single handed.
Unfortunately he was struck down by a musket shot. Some said that he was wounded by the shot but died from the impact of the bullet. Others said he was strangled to death because he was known to be invulnerable. He used to boast that the White Man’s gunpowder and shots would make no effect on his body. Nevertheless, his end had come.
That was the end of one of the most gallant Dayak Iban war leaders of the Saribas . He died honourably while defending his homeland and peoples against the intruders. He had performed many brave deeds against his principal enemy, the White Man. In memory of his many wonderful deeds and bravery in the battles the Ibans still mention and praise his name in their cultural songs and chants today as “Baka Pemerani Aji Apai Limpa Nan Ka Kuta Ngelaban Raja Di Nanga Sungai Langit.” Which meant “As brave as Aji Apai Limpa who defended his fort against the Rajah war men at the Nanga Sungai Langit.”
Nanang and Luyoh were enraged at the death of their brother , Aji Apai Limpa. They collected as many men as they could and supported Libau RENTAP on the fort of Bukit Sadok. They built another fort next to Libau RENTAP. They wanted to avenge the death of their brother, Aji Apai Limpa, who had distinguished himself gallantly as a war leader in defending his homeland and people and never surrendered to the rule of the White Rajah. He is thus a great Dayak Iban War Hero.

THE FIRST BUKIT SADOK WAR EXPEDITION IN 1857

The Tuan Muida Charles Brroke was determined to crush Libau RENTAP in his stronghold on the top of Bukit Sadok. On 2nd June,1857 Tuan Muda Charles Brooke organised a war expedition to attack Libau RENTAP with a large group of war men consisting of 3,500 Dayaks and 500 Malays.
The Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men left Nanga Skrang in a drizzling rain and encountered a very bad weather conditon through out the journey. They proceeded up the Skrang River and on 5th June,1857 their long war boats (Perahu Pengayau) arrived at Sungai Antu where they established a base camp. Forty well armed men were placed in charge of the long war boats (Perahu Pengayau) and baggages whilst the rest of the war men moved overland in the direction of the Bukit Sadok. On 7th June,1857 they saw the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) far away in the distance situated at the top of the ridge.
The Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men resolved to push on that day to Rapu, the northern end of the Bukit Sadok, but found that it could not be done in one day. And only the advance party of the Dayaks could accend the mountain with difficulty and with a very great loss, not only of their lives , but also of confidence and courage as well. The last hundred yards were the almost perpendicular and when they do the mounting and they had to pull themselves up with one hand holding the stunted trees on the ground. At this time one of their foremen was struck by a spear by the Libau RENTAP war men and had to be carried to the rear for his safety.
When the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke was about five yards away from the Libau RENTAP’s war men, he saw many spears being thrown at him and the spears was flying all over his head and some of the spears struck some of his war men in their back. For the whole night the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke sat on the side of the hill at an angle of eighty degrees. His war men have to prepared a few cross-sticks for him to sit, and one of them held a wooden shield at his back to protect him from any attack by the Libau RENTAP war men..
When the morning came the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke and his war men managed to reach the summit of the Bukit Sadok. Along the brow of the Bukit Sadok, at the opposite end they could see clearly the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta). Several of the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men had been killed or wounded on the previous day, and over a hundred of them had rolled down the steep side of the Bukit Sadok. And the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke by doing so had lost a lots of arms and ammunitions.
On 8th June,1857, the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke and his war men was building a stockade at the Rapu. It was located at the end of the Bukit Sadok facing the position being occupied by Libau RENTAP. Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) was formidable as it was being made of the vertical iron wood (Tebelian) planks which could not be penetrated by the firing of the rifle shots. It was also surrounded on all sides by the steep cliff. Inside the fort (Kuta) the Libau RENTAP war men had built a platformfrom from which they could shoot their enemies who was moving advance in a narrow file along the backbone of a rock leading to the Libau RENTAP fort. It was almost impossible for the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men to attack the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) from the Rapu end of the Bukit Sadok. Libau RENTAP also had muskets, cannons and a small swivel-gun which Libau RENTAP had captured when Alan Lee was killed at the war battle at the Lintang Batang in 1853.
On 9th June,1857 a group of the Dayak Iban war men who came to assist the Libau RENTAP had made an attemp to attack the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke camp at Rapu. The following day the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke sent a division of Dayaks and Malays to counter-attack them. The Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men drove them back, then plundered and burnt their longhouses. The Tuan Muda Charles Brooke then tried to get his men to storm the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) at night, but they refused to face the risk.
During the next three days the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men was busy constructing the portable screens of laths and bamboo known as pilan to be used as their covers while advancing alomg the narrow ridge of the mountain.
At mid-day on the 15th.June,1857 the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men started to attack the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) under the cover of their pilan. At four o’clock in the afternoon the attacking party had reached a positon within six or seven yards from the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta). Libau RENTAP and his war men started throwing stones and spears from the fort , which fell on the attacking party. They also used their muskets and small swivel cannons to defend themselves.
At half-past five the Malay leader of the attacking party named Abang Aing was moving advanced under cover of the pilan and tried to set fire to the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta). But unfortunately for the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke, the gallant Abang Aing was struck by a musket shoot. Abang Aing was wounded and fell to the ground. When the evening came the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men had to carry Abang Aing back to their camp. When Libau RENTAP and his war men saw that the gallant Malay leader Abang Aing was wounded, they beat their gongs and yelled loudly with cheers in triumph.
The following day , instead of making another attack at Libau RENTAP fort at Bukit Sadok, the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke wanted to take only about a hundred of the strongest and bravest warrior with himself in command to proceed to Atui to attack the three longhouses belonging to the Dayak Ibans who supported Libau RENTAP. But nobody would volunteer to go with him, some of his war men said that they were sick , while others ran short of provisions.
At eight o’clock in the morning the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men began to go down the Bukit Sadok in retreat. Should Libau RENTAP and his war men attack them , then they would suffer greatly, but this was not done. Libau RENTAP was very pleased and satisfied with his success and victory to defend themselves at his fort on Bukit Sadok. Libau RENTAP popularity with the Dayak Ibans increased greatly. The Dayak Iban then strongly believed that Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) was under the protection of the legendary characters named Keling and Bunga Nuing, which could not be taken by their enemy.
When the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke and his war men had reached their base camp at Sungai Antu they found out that the flood had swept away their stockade and carried off about seventy of their long war boats (Perahu Pengayau). Those who had lost their long war boats had to share with the others while going down the Skrang River. Some of the Libau RENTAP’s war men who was hidding in the thick jungle fired at the retreating party but they suffered no casualty, except those who were already drowned.
The Dayak Ibans who was the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke war men grumbled at the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke for not listening to their comment to the right bird of omen. Thus ended the First Bukit Sadok War Expedition led by the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke against the Libau RENTAP in June , 1857 was a total failure. Libau RENTAP was hilarious of his triump over the White Men.

BUKIT SADOK

Libau RENTAP’s fort (Kuta) at Bukit Sadok was regarded by the Dayak Ibans as impregnable. Since Libau RENTAP was retreat from the lost of his last fort at Sungai Lang, he had strengthened his position at Bukit Sadok. In the Dayak Iban legends and songs the Dayak Iban community mentioned that the Bukit Sadok as a mountain so inaccesible and it was protected by the legendary characters of Panggau Libau, namely Keling and Bunga Nuing, Laja and Bunga Jawa, and many others, that no enemy would ever dare to attack it. Libau RENTAP had gathered together all the Dayak Iban from all along the Skrang River who were faithful to him and those in the upper Saribas River who offered him aid so long as he occupied the top of Bukit Sadok which stood as an unapproachable centre far removed from danger, and to which they could all retire in case of need from the rule of the White Man.
Libau RENTAP was given the tittle of “RAJA ULU” by all of the Dayak Iban warrior chief and Bukit Sadok was the centre of all opposition to the rule of the Rajah of Sarawak, James Brooke. Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) at Bukit Sadok was about 2,725 feet above the sea level and almost in accessible on every side because of the steep cliff. Libau RENTAP was satisfied that his fort (Kuta) was very strong and could not be conquer by his enemies. The Dayak Iban was thus boasted to themselves that : “The White Man are powerful, having arms and ships at sea, but it is only we who are the Dayak Iban, who can walk and fight on land and clamber mountains.”

BATTLE AT SUNGAI LANG, SKRANG

The word “Nundok” which meant surrender was the most word that Libau RENTAP never said in his life. He swore that he would never meet the white men to talk about peace or anythings else. He and his men kept on strengthening his fort (kuta) in Sungai Lang. The word “Sungai” in Iban meant river and the word “Lang” meant a decomposed smell of an animal. Sungai Lang was located at the headwaters of the Skrang River with many of the Libau RENATAP followers, comprising the Dayaks Iban and the Malays from the Lingga and Kuching area. They defended themselves strongly against the attack of the White Man.
In August, 1854 Rajah James Brooke proceeded up the Skrang River with a large group of war men , about 7,000 from the Dayaks and the Malays community.with the object of attacking Libau RENTAP in his fort (kuta) at Sungai Lang. Libau RENTAP and his war men were ready to defend the fort. at Sungai Lang. Libau RENTAP and his followers was well prepared to defend the fort (Kuta) and the two Dayak Iban longhouses located on the ridge of a hill surrounded by steep ground. High stakes were driven into the earth forming a firm and thick stockade. The fort (Kuta) was situated at a place about four days’ journey on foot from Enteban in the Skrang where James Brooke established his base camp.
The Tuan Besar, Captain Brooke-Brooke was the one who placed in command of the war expedition against Libau RENTAP by land to Sungai Lang accompanied by his younger brother the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke, Mr. Crookshank, Mr. William Brereton and the other four English officers to assist him in the war. Due to his poor health Rajah James Brooke was unable to accompanied them in thw war expedition against Libau RENTAP to Sungai Lang but he was staying behind with a very strong forces to protect all their war long boat (Perahu Pengayau) and all the baggages at Enteban.
The war team of Tuan Besar Captain Brooke-Brooke proceeded up the Skrang River. After two days’ journey they reached Tebat, and they continued their journey untill the fourth days’ then they saw the Libau RENTAP’s fort (Kuta)standing on a hill cleared of all the thick old jungle. Their heavy armament consisted of four-pounder and three-pounder guns and rockets. When they were mounting the last rising ground on which Libau RENTAP and his war men were fortified , they found that some of the Dayak Iban leaders had brave themselves foolishly by gaurding the fort (Kuta) advanced too close and a few of them had been killed and wounded.
The Tuan Besar Captain Brooke-Brooke war men then mounted the four-pounder gun and the rockets were fired on one end while the three-pounder gun were fired away at the other end of the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta). And Libau RENTAP with his war men returned the fire with their small pretty brisky canon commonly called “Bedil” in Dayak Iban word. The Libau RENTAP war men also shouted out loudly in their war-cry against the White Rajah the words “Agi Bedarah Agi Ngelaban” which meant “Still Bleeding Still Fighting” , and also the words “Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban” which meant “Still Living Still Fighting” which was a commonly team spirit used by the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces untill now.
Early in that afternoon there was a commotion among the Libau RENTAP war men inside the fort (Kuta) . And the women together with their childrens were seen leaving the fort (Kuta) fron the opposite side of the hill where the the Tuan Besar Captain Brooke-Brooke striked the attacked. But Libau RENTAP together with all his braved and strong warriors were still stood fast and kept gaurding their posst all along the fort (Kuta).
The old Malays Chief named Panglima Seman , a Kalaka Malay of the White Rajah’s forces had not yet made any move to lead an attack against the Libau RENTAP. Some knew that he would act cautiously , but the others at him and his reply was “Your words are more than your deeds.” As the sun reached the horizon , Panglima Seman together with his war men moved up toward the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta). They silently opened the stakes with their hands and jumped inside the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) and shouted with a loud cheers and drew their swords during the attacked.
Then about fifty to sixty of the Libau RENTAP warriors were seen tearing away over the open ground covering their bodies with shields and fled towards Bukit Sadok. They were followed by the brave defenders of the fort (Kuta) who rolled down the side of the hill. Libau RENTAP was said to be wounded and had to be carried away by his war men who fled down the hill to a second and much more stronger Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) located on the simmit os Bukit Sadok. Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) located at Sungai Lang was been defeated and conquered by the White Rajah warriors. The White Rajah warriors spent a night at the Sungai Lang Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta). It was a mere victory for them, as Libau RENTAP was wounded but did not surrender himself to the White Rajah.
Bulan Apai Jelani and his war men watched and monitored the progress of the war expediton between Libau RENTAP and the White Rajah with interest, but they didn’t take any part with any side of them. They just wait and see, waiting for the attacking party to be in a stateof confusion. Nevertheless , there was no opportunity for him to attack them.
After the victory of conquering the Libau RENTAP fort (Kuta) at Sungai Lang, the Tuan Besar, Captain Brooke-Brooke who was in command of the war expedition was keen to follow Libau RENTAP to his second fort (Kuta) at Bukit Sadok, but his war men refused to go with them. Thus , the second attack did not take place. His warriors only satisfied with the single victory of conquering the Libau RENTAP for at Sungai Lang and was impatient to return home.
William Brereton unfortunately died of dysentery shortly after this war expedition (Kayau). In October, 1854 the Tuan Muda Charles Brooke was placed in charge of Batang Lupar district. Raja James Brooke’s advice to him was : “Encourage the good, Intimidate the bad and Confirm the wavering.

BATTLE AT NANGA SKRANG

One the Dayak Iban war leader named Dandi whose nickname was “Gasing Gila” which meant “A Mad Spinning Top” in the Iban language. Dandi “Gasing Gila’ was a loyal Dayak Iban war leader to the White Rajah . Rajah James Brooke was suspecting that Dandi “Gasing Gila “ was collaborating with the rebellious Dayak Iban war leader named Libau RENTAP.
In April year 1854, William Brereton who defended the fort at Nanga Skrang was organising a war expedition against Dandi “Gasing Gila”. When Dandi “Gasing Gila” heard the news , he summoned all the bravest Dayak Iban war men in the Batang Saribas for the battle against William Brereton and his followers. The Dayak Iban war men that he summoned was including Aji “Apai Limpa”, Linggir “Mali Lebu” and many other principal war leaders of the neighbouring areas to help him in the war.
The White Rajah Tuan Muda (Young Prince), Charles Brooke also brought along his war men from Lingga and joined by another group of war men from Kuching and they all proceeded up the Batang Skrang River to fight for the battle against the Dayak Iban war leader Dandi “Gasing Gila.” Along the journey William Brereton war men was passing by some dangerous rapids when they reached a point called Tanjung Lipat, where they have no choice but to leave their war boats (Bangkong / Perahu Pengayau) behind.
After a one day long journey walking on foot from Tanjung Lipat toward the longhouse of Dandi “Gasing Gila”, then William Brereton ordered that all the Europeans and all the Sarawak Malays war men should remain behind, while all the Dayaks Iban war men should be sent forward under their chief to do the attack in the battle against Dandi “Gasing Gila.
The longhouses of Dandi “Gasing Gila” was situated at the backbone of a hills some considerable distance away from where they are going to strike the attack. The Dayak Iban warriors at Dandi “Gasing Gila” longhouse were ready to defend themselves against the attack. At dawn on the third day, the advancing war men of Tuan Muda make a quick movement to reached Dandi’s “Gasing Gila” longhouses and make their battle attacked without any body giving an orders. As their leaders mounted the wooden ladder , they were struck off one after the other by hundreds of war men dressed in their fighting costumes headed by the whole of the Batang Saribas warriors.
The war leaders of Tuan Muda’s war men had to retire to guard those who were wounded and died , while the Dayak Iban warriors in the Dandi “Gasing Gila” longhouses yelled shoutly with cheered and beat their gongs happily as they win the war battle against the White Rajah Tuan Muda war men. The girls and women dressed in their best costumes were seen clapping their hands with loud shouted and encouraging their husband and sweethearts to take and chopped as many heads of the dead White Rajah Tuan Muda war men as many as possible.
As the longhouse of Dandi “Gasing Gila” was well defended by the bravest fighting men and warriors, the White Rajah Tuan Muda’s forces could not win the battle at all. They had to retreat to their base camp with many dead and wounded war men. The White Rajah Tuan Muda, Charles Brooke and William Brereton war expedition to destroy Dandi “Gasing Gila” and his war men was thus a total failure.

THE MEETING BETWEEN LIBAU RENTAP , BULAN APAI JELANI AND RAJA JAMES BROOKE

In December 1853 the Raja James Brooke went up the Skrang River with the object of meeting Libau RENTAP and Bulan Apai Jelani for a peace talks. It was said that these two Dayak Iban chiefs were a men of different characters. Libau RENTAP was strongly opposed to the presence of white men and Bulan Apai Jelani was the figure head of a party that did not support either any of the other side. He watched to see which side that would win the battle. Raja James Brooke was accompanied by Tuan Muda Charles Brooke have arranged for several meeting to discussed about the matters between the two parties, but without any satisfactory results.

THE HISTORY OF LINTANG BATANG

In Early year 1853 Libau RENTAP collected his men with the intention of attacking the Fort (Kubu) at Nanga Skrang, and pushed his way to the open South China Sea. When Brereton received the information that Libau RENTAP and his large group of war men were in their way coming down the river to attack the said Fort (Kubu) at Nanga Skrang, Brereton sent a message to Alan Lee who was the officer in charge of another fort at Nanga Lingga which was located ahead to the mouth of the Batang Lupar River after the Simanggang (Sri Aman) town.
Alan Lee arrived at Skrang with a scratch party and heard that the Dayak Iban war men who was under the command of Libau RENTAP was approaching toward them at Fort Nanga Skrang. Alan Lee urger Brereton to defend the fort instead of attacking the Dayak Iban war men in the open But by his own plan Brereton had built a small stockade a few miles above up river from the Fort Nanga Skrang at a place called Lintang Batang and insisted that they should defend if from the attack.
On the morning after Alan Lee and Brereton had arrived at Lintang Batang, Libau RENTAP have sent his two pilot war boats (Bangkong or Perahu Pengayau) down the Skrang River. A gun was fired from the fort at Nanga Skrang to stop the two war boats, but they took no notice of it. After that the Dayak Iban war men were approaching them and that the men in the two war boats were in a state of confusion after being fired at by the fort men, Brereton rushed forwrd to attack them in the open on the river. He was soon followed by Alan Lee.
Their small boats were swamped by the heavy war boats of Libau RENTAP’s main fleet. Brereton’s small boat capsized, but luckily with difficulty he managed to save himself by swimming to the river bank. Alan Lee continued to fight against the Libau RENTAP war men fearlessly, but he was overpowered and killed , and fell into the Skrang River with his head almost severed from his shoulder. It was Layang, the son-in-law of Libau RENTAP, who chopped off Alan Lee’s head . Libau RENTAP and his war men then came under heavy fire from the stockade and had to retreat reluctantly upriver. It is uncertain whether or not Libau RENTAP and his war men was successful in taking Alan Lee’s head.
On retreating upriver Libau RENTAP and his war men were heavily attacked by another Dayak Iban rival chief lead by Orang Kaya Gasing who had sided with the White Rajah. They also burnt down twenty longhousesbelonging to the Libau RENTAP and his war men.

THE HISTORY OF NANGA SKRANG

In the late year 1849 or in the early year 1850 James Brooke sent Arthur Crookshank to bulid a fort at the juction of the Batang Skrang River and the Batang Lupar Rivers. The establishment of the fort was indeed a nuisance to the Skrang peoples because its pupose was to block their passage to go to the open South China Sea.
The first officer was placed in charge of the fort at Nanga Skrang was a Malay’s by the name Sheriff Mohammed Hussain or Sherif Matusain or Sayid Mohsen, the grand father of the late Second Governor Of Sarawak, His Excellency Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang bin Tuanku Othman. Shefif Matusin was originally came from Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. He had fought on the side of the Sarawak Malays at Lidah Tanah in Kuching in the year 1840.He led the other Sarawak Malays leaders to see James Brooke and arranged for their surrender to the White Rajah.
The Ibans of the Lower Skrang area who submitted to the rule of James Brooke werenot pleased with the arrangement that Sayid Mohsen (Sherif Matusin) should be placed in charge of the fort (Kubu), and as a result , he was recalled to Kuching. His replacement was a young Englishman by the name William Brereton Nevertheless, Sayid Mohsen (Sherif Matusin ) was still remained to be a loyal friend of James Brooke for many yrers. He also being mentioned to be as a nurse to the White Rajah through a severe attack of smal pox in
Small pox 1853.
One of the principal Iban war leaders who did not submit to the rule of James Brooke at that time was the famouis Skrang Hero by the name Libaun RENTAP. He was said to be very daring, active, crafty , and a powerful and determined man. He dislike the establishment of the fort (kubu) to be placed at Nanga Skrang because he could no longer go out into the open South China Sea to collect salt and other essential comodities. He and his faithful followers
after that moved farther up-country to the headwaters of the Saribas and Skrang. There Libau RENTAP established a strong stockade on the mountain ridge up the Sungai Lang, the branch of the Batang Skrang River.
The fort (kubu) located at Nanga Skrang was then managed by William Brereton and then he was being supported by two of the best and the most capable Malay Chief, by the named Pengiran Matali who was a Brunei of rank and another Malay Chief by the name Abang Aing who was a Malanau from Matu at the mouth of the Batang Rajang River who came to Batang Lupar and settled with his father named Laksamana Medudin, and a Malay woman by the name of Dayang Kota.

THE WAR BETWEEN THE WHITE RAJAH AND THE IBAN

On 4th.June, 1843 Raja James Brooke and Captain Henry Keppel organized a war expedition to attack the Dayak Iban of Saribas area. Datu Patinggi Ali who join the White Rajah in this war expedition had been sent ahead of the main tracker callled “Bala”. At the mouth of Batang Saribas he met with the seven Dayak Iban war boat called “Bangkong or Perahu Pengayau” whom Datu Patinggi Ali attacked and drove back to the up river after he succeed capturing one.
The strongest and most important Dayak Iban longhouse belonging to Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang at Nanga Padeh was about sixty miles up the Batang Saribas River and defended only by the two forts and a barrier of trees called “Pengerebah” that will block the river from being entered easily by their enemies. The longhouse was completely burnt and taken by James Brooke on the 11th.June,1843.
Three days later on the 14th.June,1843 the war expedition group of James Brooke went up to Sungai Paku, the branch of the Saribas River and attacked Linggir Mali Lebu fort at Karangan Pinggai. The Dayak Ibans did not show any resistance, but Rajah James Brooke burnt down a few longhouses along the Sungai Paku River bank.
Another three days later on the 17th.June,1843 Rajah James Brooke and his war forces went up the Sungai Rimbas another branch of the Saribas River, and attacked the fort belonging to the Dayak Iban leader by the name Rekaya Antau Linggang Nengeri and Rekaya Gun Mangku Bumi at Sungai Tawai. This was the largest and the strongest Dayak Iban fort along the Saribas River. They fought bravely but were over powered by the Armed Rajah Forces. The Rimbas chiefs then submitted. That was the first time the Dayak Ibans of Saribas River had ever fought against the White Man (Orang Putih), but not their brothers in the Skrang areas.
It was probably on 19th.August,1844 at Karangan Peris in the Skrang area that Libau RENTAP was first fought against the White Rajah armed forces. He stood bravely blocking the advance trackers of Datu Patinggi Ali’s forces with a formidable array of war boats and thousands of men on each bank of the river. They had selected a good positions where they could effectively use their spears and blowpipes.
Although the old Datu Patinggi Ali and his small contingent fearlessly fought against RENTAP and his men they were out numbered and Datu Patinggi Ali was killed along together with George Steward and twenty nine of his devoted followers with fifty six of them wounded. The main party of the White Rajah armed forces were not in time to support him.Datu Patinggi Ali and his devoted followers were buried in the Batang Undup area.

DATU PATINGGI ALI

It is said that some of the Sarawak Malaysclaimed that their origin was from the ancient Kingdom of Minangkabau in Sumatra, Indonesia. Datu Undi, whose title was also known as Raja Jarom, a prince of the Royal House of Minangkabau, emigrated with his people to the Borneo Island and settled along the Sarawak River. Datu Undi, the Raja Jarom had seven childrens. The eldest daughter who married to a royal prince of Java, Indonesia and from them in a direct line came Datu Patinggi Ali.
Raja Jarom’s second son established himself in the Saribas area, his third son established himself in the Samarahan area, the fourth son established himself in the Kalaka area and the fifth son established himself up the right hand branch of Sarawak River and spread to Sadong area.
Datu Patinggi Ali was a principal leader of the Sarawak Malays who fought against the Brunei Government during the rule of Pengiran Makota and Raja Muda Hasim, most probably between 1837 and 1840. He surrendered in December, 1840 on the understanding that James Brooke would hence forth become the Raja and stop the Brunei Pengirans from oppressing them.
After James Brooke was declared Raja and the Governor of Sarawak on 24th.September, 1841 and he reinstated Datu Patinggi Ali as a leader of the Sarawak Malays. From 1841 to 1844 he served James Brooke as a famous fighting man for the government.

ORANG KAYA PEMANCHA DANA BAYANG

Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang was a principal leader of the Saribas Ibans before the arrival of the White Rajah named James Brooke. Dana Bayang received his title “The Orang Kaya Pemancha” from the Saribas Malay leaders who were the representatives of the Sultan Of Brunei.
Dana Bayang was described as a small, plain looking man, brave and fierce. His body was scarred with the spear wounds. His longhouse was located on the Padeh River, a branch of the Btang Layar River not far from the Betong town. Dana Bayang had six sons and three daughters. Three of Dana Bayang sons , namely 1) Nanang, 2) Aji, and 3) Luyoh were often mentioned in the history and Dayak Iban story of Sarawak, and the most famous among three of them all was “Aji Apai Limpa.
Very little was known about Libau Rentap as he was an ordinary man during the early part of his life, except that he was said to be famous when he was being appointed as a Manok Sabong or a fighting man (meant in the Iban language) for the Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang.
As a war leader (Tuai Kayau) amongst the Dayak Iban community by that time , the famous Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang have led many successful war sea expeditons (Ngayau) along the coast of Sarawak towards the Sambas Territory, in Pontianak and beyond the surrounding areas of the Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia.
During one of these raids (Ngayau) in the year 1837 in the Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia (the then Dutch Territory) Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang captured a one arm iron cannon belonging to the Dutch which was commonly know until now a days as Bujang Timpang Berang and bearing the mark 1515. This historical cannon is still on display at the gorund floor of Fort Lily in Betong, Sarawak.
Libau Rentap, as a famous fighting man (Manok Sabong) of the Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang was a very brave figthing man and he always joined him in these sea war expeditions (Ngayau) When Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang was old, Libau Rentap was taking over as the commanding officer and he led a number of similiar raiding sea war expeditions (Ngayau) to Sambas and Pontianak, Indonesia
During one of these raiding voyages Libau Rentap attacked and killed a boatful of Sambas people, one of them who was the nephew of the Sultan Sambas whose “Kris” was identified by its golden handle was looted by Libau Rentap. From that incident, Libau RENTAP’s name became famous and was recognised by the Dayak Iban Skrangs as their great war chief.
The Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang was died of smallfox in the year 1845. He was one of the most fmous Dayak Iban chief and war leaders in the Saribas area. He also known as one of the Dayak leaders who fight and rebel against the ruling of the White Rajah James Brooke as he don’t want to pay the taxes and being governed by the foreigners.
After their great defeat by James Brooke at the notorious battle of Beting Maru during the night of 31st July, 1849 which was led by the Dayak Iban war leaders named Linggir Mali Lebu of Saribas and a Malay war leader named Abang Apong of Beting Maru, and possibly Libau RENTAP of Skrang, all the Dayak Iban living in these rivers were divided into two parties.
One party was sided with the White Rajah, while the other which consisted of the prowess, the warriors, the wild and the fiery bloods under the leadership of Libau RENTAP and Aji did not submit, but continued fighting against the White Rajah by his own forces.

RENTAP DAYAK WARRIOR ON THE TOP OF BUKIT SADOK

Once ago there an Dayak Iban whose name was Libau and welknown with his nickname RENTAP, the hero for the Dayaks Iban tribe in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia, located at the western part of the Borneo Island.
Libau bensumbar (nickname) Rentap was born at a longhouse in the Skrang River, and Skrang River was a part of river branch in the Batang Lupar River in the Sri Aman Division (previously known as the Second Division) of Sarawak, Malaysia. The river mouth of the Skrang River was situated not far from the Sri Aman Town (previously known as Simanggang).
It has its sources in Bukit Sadok, a rough little mountain with its summit of which is about 2,725 feet above the sea level and located next to the Padeh River, a small river branch from the Batang Layar River , in the Batang Saribas in the Betong Division about 300 kilomiles from Kuching the state capital of Sarawak. The nature of the country in the area was very rugged with plenty of rapids, some chains of white cliffs and dense jungle. Bukit Sadok can be reach by road now a days proceeding to Rumah Panjai Merunjau by driving along the Ulu Padeh Road, Betong. Its a rough gravel and muddy road passing by a deep jungle.

My Profile

Thank you for visiting my blog. My name is John Adam Ak Gilbert Anyai. I'm an Iban, working as a civil servant in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. I'm a married man with two childrens, a daughter and a son. I was born in Sri Aman in 1964, and growing up at Saratok in 1968 until 1982. I came from Serudit, Paku, Spaoh, Betong and married to my wife from Brayang, Roban. My longhouse now is at Room 7, Rumah Undi, Brayang, Roban and my next house is Lot. 522, Taman Susur Jambu, Sarikei.
I have been working at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in 1983 until 1991 and then transfered to Sarikei until 2004. My hobbies is listening to sentimental songs, reading, meeting many friends, touring, visiting adventures places and also keeping some sourviners that I got from my friends and some are being bought at the local market.
So with this blog that I named "MY MONEY LINK" I'm going to shared with everybody who come to view or follow my blog to know and see by themselves what types of money from many countries in the world that was not available in the market by now that I have in my possession.
I also have four other blogs that was written in Iban languages that I named i) ApairosaOnline, ii) ApairosaHelpline, iii) ADAT BANSA IBAN, iv) ENSERA ENGGAU CHERITA IBAN, v) My MoneyLink. This was my second blog being written in English as many of my friends who are not Iban are interested to read and see my blogs. So thanks for visiting my blog snd hope you enjoy it and don't hesitate to leave your comments or be my friend and follow my blog too.