I’m here not for politics nor to meddle in any affairs in Sarawak. I’m here to see my dear friend, Tun Openg.
– Tunku Abdul Rahman
In January 1969, four months before the bloody tragedy in Kuala Lumpur, Tun Abang Haji Openg, who was appointed as Sarawak’s first Governor on Sept 16, 1963, became very ill. By the following month, his condition was critical.
He was tired easily, had breathing difficulties and was losing weight. Besides modern medicine, he also tried traditional treatment to cure his ailment. He wasn’t as active as before, spending most of this time within the confines of the Astana.
The situation got worse early March 1969. An Indonesian traditional healer arrived at the Astana to try and cure him after doctors requested that he be taken home — an indication that his chances were slim.
And so the Indonesian got down to work but alas, he too could not do much.
Like a knife in the heart, Tun Openg knew the end was nigh and he was resigned to his fate.
Despite stricken with pain, he was patient and steadfast. His family made sure he was as comfortable as could be, including employing a nurse to look after him 24/7.
His beloved wife Toh Puan Masniah was always by his side, right to the very end.
While he was bed stricken, villagers and government top brass in and around Kuching visited him without fail.
They also took the opportunity to pray for his wellbeing, and recite the Surah Yasin.
Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman was in Sarawak at the time, and his presence on March 27, 1969 was special.
“I’m here not for politics nor to meddle in any affairs in Sarawak. I’m here to see my dear friend, Tun Openg,” he said.
On that day, the Sarawak Health Department reported Tun Openg’s condition through the Chief Minister’s Office. Chief Minister Datuk Penghulu Tawi Sli disclosed that Tun Openg was in critical condition.
Days earlier, Tun Openg had told his sons, including Abang Abdul Karim, to take care of their mother and sister well.
On Friday, March 28, 1969, the skies over Kuching were gloomy as was the atmosphere at the Astana.
Politicians, heads of departments, close friends and relatives visited the Astana nonstop since morning upon hearing that Tun Openg was critical.
Breathing his last
Tun Openg breathed his last at 10.30pm at the age of 64. He had lost his battle with colon cancer.
His body was handled with respect, great care and gentleness, and according to Muslim burial rites, amid tears and sorrow.
After completing all the rituals, Tun Openg’s body was placed in the centre of the Astana’s hall. The Solat Jenazah (funeral prayer) was performed.
Tun Openg was Sarawak’s first Governor for six years. He was 58 at the time and the Astana was the place he called home.
He also had a house at Kampung Nombor Satu, on the opposite bank of Sungai Sarawak, directly facing the Astana.
That fateful morning, the Astana was covered in gloom and sorrow.
The public from all walks of life arrived in droves to pay their last respects to a man who had given so much to Sarawak.
Funeral proceedings later followed with full honours. The Surah Yasin was recited by family, friends and government officials as his body lay in state.
Tunku Abdul Rahman rushed to the Astana as soon as he heard of Tun Openg’s passing, postponing his flight back to Kuala Lumpur to pay his last respects to a dear friend.
He placed the Sarawak flag on the coffin. Then he signed the condolence book and shook hands with Tun Openg’s family members, offering words of comfort.
The Sarawak Tribune, in its Saturday, March 29, 1969 edition, ran the headline “Governor Passes Away” with a photomontage of Tun Openg in official garb. This was followed by the sub-heading “Lying-in-state begins today; funeral on Sunday”. His passing was made known by Chief Minister Datuk Penghulu Tawi Sli.
From 10am to noon, the VIPs came to pay their last respects, followed by heads of government departments from 1pm to 3pm. The public’s turn was between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.
A general state of mourning was declared, beginning from 10.30pm, March 28, 1969 to 6pm, April 10, 1969.
The funeral service started at 1.30pm. Meanwhile, the Astana received numerous telegrams.
Those who attended were dressed in black, black ties and black armbands or traditional Malay garb with a white cloth wrapped around the songkok, as a sign of mourning.
The VIPS included members of the Sabah Cabinet led by the Sabah chief minister, Chief Justice, State Legislative Assembly Speaker, Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s representative, prime minister’s representative, federal Cabinet ministers and Regent of Selangor.
Others were Sarawak Internal Affairs Minister Tan Sri Temenggong Jugah Barieng, Sarawak Treasury acting secretary, Police Commissioner JG Ritchie, Kuching Municipal Council chairman Song Thian Cheok, Federal Secretary Harun Ariffin, 3rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig-Gen Othman Ibrahim, State Secretary Grunsin Lembad and all five state division Residents.
A 64-gun salute was performed at the nearby Fort Margherita. The coffin, draped in the Sarawak flag, was carried out from the Astana by members of the Royal Malay Regiment to a special ferry at the Astana jetty.
Long line of people
Along the routes of the funeral procession, many had gathered in long queues since early morning to pay their last respects.
Inside the Governor’s official vehicle, following closely behind the cortege, were Tun Openg’s wife and daughter. Behind them were other members of the family.
The chief minister was also in the entourage together with state Cabinet ministers; federal Works, Posts and Communications minister and Tun VT Sambanthan, who represented the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Others were federal Transport Minister Tan Sri Sardon Jubir, representing the prime minister; Welfare Services Minister Dr Ng Kam Poh, representing Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein; and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Tunku Mohammed Tunku Besar, representing the federal Cabinet. The Sabah government was represented by Chief Minister Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun and senior Cabinet members.
Other dignitaries in the entourage were Lands and Mines Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Yakub, Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and Lt-Gen Ibrahim Ismail, representing the Armed Forces chief of staff.
Behind them were Deputy State Finance Secretary Bujang Mohd Nor, State Attorney Tan Chaw Thong, Bishop of Kuching Rt Rev Basil Temenggong, the Sarawak Annual Conference of Methodist Church president and the Iban Annual Conference of Methodist Church president.
On the special ferry, the coffin was placed on a wooden support. Upon reaching Pangkalan Batu on the Kuching town side, it was then transferred onto an artillery cart. The guard of honour was carried out by the Eighth Battalion, Malaysian Regiment.
As soon as the state anthem was played, the atmosphere grew gloomy. The funeral procession traversed through Jalan Bazaar, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg and Jalan Masjid.
It was headed by the Royal Malaysian Police Sarawak contingent and a police band.
Also accompanying Tun Openg’s body were the aide-de-camp of the late Tuan Mohamet Mat, Chancellor of the Illustrious Order of Sarawak Dato Edward Brandah, Chief Minister Datuk Penghulu Tawi Sli, Deputy Chief Minister Abang Abdul Rahim Abang Moasili, Chief Justice Dato Ismail Khan and Sarawak Internal Affairs Minister Tan Sri Temenggong Jugah Barieng.
Also present were the Head of the Commonwealth and representatives of foreign embassies, KRDC chairman, senators, members of the Public Service Commission, Permanent Secretary, Chief of the Armed Forces, heads of government departments, representatives of chambers of commerce, municipal council members, political party leaders, members of the Ex-Government Servants Association, the Scout Association, the Girl Guides Association and Angkatan Takhlisan.
Upon arrival at the state mosque, Tun Openg’s coffin was handed over to the second coffin bearer before being placed in front of the pulpit.
After the funeral prayers, the coffin was taken to a nearby grave in front of the mosque. It was slowly lowered facing the Qibla into the burial pit prepared since morning. The shroud was untied.
After the grave was covered, a tombstone was erected. Then the Talqin was recited by Ustaz Abdul Kadir Hassan from the Sarawak Islamic Council.
A garland of flowers was then placed on the grave. The first wreath was from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong, laid by federal Works Minister Tun Sambanthan.
Tengku Bendahara laid a wreath on behalf of the Regent of Selangor, Tan Sri Sardon Jubir on behalf of the federal government, Chief Minister of Sarawak and Sabah on behalf of their respective governments.
Others who also laid wreaths were State Legislative Assembly Speaker William Tan, Deputy Chief Minister Abang Abdul Rahim, federal Welfare Services Minister Dr Ng Kam Poh, federal Lands and Mines Minister Dato Abdul Rahman Yakub, state Cabinet ministers, Lt-Gen Dato Ibrahim Ismail and foreign diplomats.
They left the cemetery with a deep sense of loss for a beloved leader, now gone forever.
