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.