Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman | |
|---|---|
| توانكو بوجڠ توانكو عثمان | |
 | |
| 2ndYang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak | |
| In office 2 April 1969 – 2 April 1977 | |
| Chief Minister | Tawi Sli Abdul Rahman Ya'kub |
| Preceded by | Abang Openg Abang Sapiee |
| Succeeded by | Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1898-12-12)12 December 1898 |
| Died | 28 November 1986(1986-11-28) (aged 87) |
| Nationality | Malaysian |
| Spouse | Rajemah |
| Relations | Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg (son-in-law) |
Tuanku Bujang bin Tuanku Othman (Jawi:توانكو بوجڠ بن توانكو عثمان; 12 December 1898 – 28 November 1986)[1] was a Malaysian statesman, war veteran and politician who served as the secondYang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) ofSarawak from 1969 to 1977.[2]
Tuanku Bujang bin Tuanku Othman was born on 12 December 1898 inSibu, Sarawak. He was a member of the Rajang Perabangan Malay community. His heritage traced back toArabHadhrami ancestry, and he was related to the Brunei nobility through GovernorSyarif Masahor ofSarikei.
At the age of 26, in 1924, Tuanku Bujang was present during theKapit peacemaking between the Brooke administration and theKayan-Kenyah rebels fromUlu Belaga andKalimantan. It was at this event that he formed friendships withJugah Barieng and his brother Tedong, nephews of Koh Jubang. These connections would later play a significant role in Sarawak's political landscape.[3]
On 1 January 1932, at the age of 29, Tuanku Bujang joined the newly formed Sarawak Constabulary, becoming the first Malay from Sibu to be promoted to the rank of probationaryinspector — one rank below Sarawak's top police officer at the time, Datu Bandar Abang Mustapha.[3]
In 1934, Tuanku Bujang gained recognition for his bravery when he tackled and disarmed an armed man who had run amok in Sibu. For his act, RajahCharles Vyner Brooke awarded him a Sarawak medal for valour. Later that same year, he was appointed as a native officer and served in Kuching, where he was further promoted to the role ofmagistrate.[3]
During theSecond World War, after the fall ofKuching, Tuanku Bujang ledForce B, a 105-strong detachment of theSarawak Rangers, although the unit was disbanded shortly after Kuching's capture. He was alieutenant at the time. UnderJapanese occupation, he was appointed a senior administrative officer. As the tide of war changed, he joined the Australian-ledOperation Semut, a guerrilla unit working with local resistance fighters. He played a role in theliberation of Kuching on 11 September 1945.[3]
Following the end of the war, Tuanku Bujang became involved in theanti-cession movement, opposing Charles Vyner Brooke's decision to cede Sarawak to the British crown in 1946. Vyner received a £2 million honorarium in return for the cession. Tuanku Bujang supported local resistance against the colonial handover. However, after the assassination of GovernorSir Duncan Stewart in 1949 and the collapse of the anti-cession movement, he rejoined the colonial administration.[3]
In 1955, Tuanku Bujang was conferred the title 'Datu', and in 1957, he received theMember of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) fromQueen Elizabeth II. Following that, he was promoted to administrative officer.[3]
With theformation of Malaysia in 1963, Tuanku Bujang was appointed to theMalaysian Senate. As politics in Sarawak gained momentum, he became involved in the formation of political parties. He played a key role in founding the Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak (BARJASA) on 29 December 1961, alongsideAbdul Rahman Ya'kub andAbang Muhammad Salahuddin. Tuanku Bujang served as the inaugural president of the party, which aimed to represent the interests of the Malay and native bumiputera communities.[3]
In 1962, Tuanku Bujang's old allyJugah Barieng founded Parti Pesaka (PESAKA), another indigenous-based party. Tuanku Bujang continued to support the idea of strong Malay-native political representation. On 28 March 1968, BARJASA merged with PANAS to form Parti Bumiputera, with Tuanku Bujang serving as vice president. Later, on 30 April 1973, Parti Bumiputera merged with PESAKA to createParti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). The new party was led by Jugah as president andAbdul Taib Mahmud as deputy president.[3]
He was appointed as the second Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor of Sarawak) by the King of Malaysia upon the death of the former governor,Tun Abang Haji Openg. Upon the appointment, he was awarded Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (S.M.N.), which carried the title "Tun". He would serve as the governor for the second term in 1973, before his term ended in 1977.
Little is known about his doing after his tenure as the governor of Sarawak ended in 1977. On 28 November 1986, he died peacefully in Kuching, where he was buried.
Malaysia
Recipient of theMalaysian Commemorative Medal (Silver) (PPM) (1965)
Commander of theOrder of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) –Tan Sri (1967)[4]_-_SMN.svg)
Grand Commander of theOrder of the Defender of the Realm (SMN) –Tun (1970)[5]
Sarawak_-_1._Knight_Grand_Commander_(DP).svg)
Knight Grand Commander of theOrder of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP) –Datuk Patinggi
Sabah
Grand Commander of theOrder of Kinabalu (SPDK) –Datuk Seri PanglimaSeveral things were named after him, including:
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak 1969 - 1977 | Succeeded by |