List of Melanau explained

This is the list of prominent people of Melanau descent.

Early history

• Pangeran Matusin (also known as Pangeran Mat Hussin Gagah) – Mukah Governor during Sultanate Brunei. His mother was a Melanau from Kampung Tellian while his father is a prince ("pangeran") from Brunei.^[1]
• Orang Kaya Selair – Leader of Matu district before and during reign of Brooke Dynasty
• Orang Kaya Srigunim – A woman who became the leader of Jemoreng district during reign of Brooke Dynasty, killed during pregnancy by her rival.
• Sawing – One of Sharif Masahor army leader during attack on Kanowit Fort 1859, who killed Henry Steel & Charles Fox.^[2] He was a Melanau of the Kanowit sub-group.
• Salakai – Sawing close friend who fought together during attack on Kanowit Fort 1859.

Academics

• Associate Professor Dr Haji Abdul Mutalip Abdullah – The former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
• Datu Hj Adi Badiozaman Tuah – Well-known educationist. Former Education Director (Examinations) Malaysia. Director (Education) for Yayasan Islam Sarawak. He is of mixed Javanese, Malay and Melanau parentage.^[3]
• Associate Professor Dr. Jeniri bin Amir - Council of Professors fellow, former lecturer of the Faculty of Language and Communication, UNIMAS and a political analyst.^{[4] [5]}
• Datuk Prof. Dr Rashid Abdullah – Academician UNIMAS.
• Prof Dr. Rohani Abdullah @ Josephine Yaman – Academician UPM
• Prof. Dr. Sulaiman Hanapi – Academician UNIMAS.
• Prof Datu Dr. Yusuf Hadi – Academician UNIMAS.

Entertainment

Fashion

• Abdul Latip Mohti (1971 - 10 June 2020) – A fashion designer hailed from Mukah and the founder of Latip's Collections. In 2019, he was named "Most Promising Designer" at the Borneo Fashion Week.^{[6] [7]} He was also known for his ‘Batik Linut’ (batik made from sago wax) design.^[8]
• Rozie Khan – designer and founder of Rozie Khan Couture. At the 2018 Borneo Fashion Week, she was awarded "Designer of the Year".^[9] She is of mixed Melanau, Chinese, Pakistani as well as Malay (Kampar Malay and Bruneian) parentage and hails from Dalat.^[10]

Music

• Anding Indrawani Zaini^[11] – Akademi Fantasia star, model, actor and singer. He is of mixed Melanau-Bidayuh parentage.
• Len Bubat – Melanau song composer/ producer/ lyricist (first Melanau original album 2002). This album Cinta Tuwah was launched by the Chief Minister of Sarawak in Miri, Sarawak during the Persatuan Melanau Miri 40th Anniversary Celebration on 24 October 2002. Two popular songs from this album are the "Blues Tubeng Balau" and "Bier Kou Tuwad."
• Sharifah Zarina – A singer most notable for her hit, "Langit Ke-7"
• Tazudin Murni – Melanau song composer/producer/arranger/sound designer/ANUM guitarist (ANUM First Melanau Original Rock Song Album 2006)
• Raymond Enyau Belidih – Melanau singer awarded Penyanyi Lagu Melanau Terbilang 2019 - song Serbak Salak (2017)

Politics

• Abu Seman Jahwie – Former politician.
• YB Ahmad Johnie Zawawi- Member of Parliament of Igan since 2018
• Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Hj. Abdul Taib Mahmud – 4th Chief Minister of Sarawak & 7th Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak.
• Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'kub – 3rd Chief Minister of Sarawak & 4th Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak.^[12]
• Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Muhammad Nor – 5th Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak.
• Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng – 6th Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak.^[13]
• YB Dato' Sri Fatimah Abdullah – State Legislative Assembly Member for Dalat and Sarawak Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development. She is of Foochow Chinese and Melanau descent.^[14]
• Lukanisman Awang Sauni – Member of Parliament of Sibuti since 2018.
• Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee – State Deputy Minister of Education and Talent Development since 2022, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nangka since 2011.
• Datuk Hj Hamden Hj Ahmad – Former politician and a corporate figure (Oil-palm plantation).
• Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib – Member of Parliament for Mukah.
• Dato' Murshid Diraja Dr. Juanda Jaya – former Mufti of Perlis, former Deputy Mufti of Sarawak and current State Legislative Assembly Member for Jemoreng.^[15]
• Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh – Assistant Minister of Urban Development and Resources.
• Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad – Former Federal Minister of Tourism; Chairman, Sarawak Conventions Bureau.
• Tan Sri Mohd Effendi Norwawi – Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, former Dalat Assemblyman;
• Dato' Seri Nancy Shukri – Federal Minister of Tourism, and Member of the Parliament for Batang Sadong. She is of mixed Malay, Melanau, Scottish, Iban and Chinese ancestry.^[16]
• Datuk Hajjah Norah Abdul Rahman – Daughter of Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'kub and former Member of Parliament of Tanjong Manis;
• Dato' Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib – Son of Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud. A corporate figure who was Member of Parliament for Kota Samarahan;
• Datuk Wahab Dollah – Former politician.
• Yossibnosh Balo – State Legislative Assembly Member for Balingian.^[17]

Others

• Zaini Oje @ Ozea – former Director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak & Sabah. A poet, writer, theater & stage director.
• Mohamad Taufan Mohamad Yassin – Social activist
• Hang Tuah Merawin – Resident, Kapit Division
• Hj Sarudu Hoklai – Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Planning (Sarawak). Former Resident, Mukah, Kota Samarahan and Kapit (Sarawak)
• Akit Sebli – Former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism Sarawak
• Dr Haji Mohamad Topek Taufek Nahrawi – Businessman, developer and contractor, Former Deputy Chairman of SEDC, Academic
• Datu Aloysius J. Dris – CEO of Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak.^[18]
• Edmund Kurui – Former assistant curator Sarawak Museum
• Datuk Hamid Sepawi – Corporate leader, CEO of Naim Cendera Group, well known property and housing developer and public listed company
• Sahari Ubu – Staff Sergeant Royal Corps of Signal British Army 1962 Staff No 23895416, Penghulu Kampung Nangka, Sibu.
• Datin Dyg Fatiyah Binti Tun Pehin Sri Abg Muhd Salahuddin - Penghulu Kampung Nangka, Sibu.
• Tuan Haji Mohamad Atei Abang Medaan – Mayor (Datuk Bandar) of Kuching North (Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU))
• Datuk Dr Yusof Hanifah – Former mayor of Kuching North (Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU))
• Rapaee Kawi (a.k.a. Apai or Mashor) (1958–2009) – First Sarawakian to scale Mount Everest,^[19] ex-commando and Sarawak's most senior national press photographer
• Dr. Junaidi bin Hj. Diki – Public health medicine physician, senior HCISB consultant SAINS, Ex Dep Hos Director SGH, DHO Sibu/Kuching/Samarahan/Bintulu
• Datuk Haji Abang Abdul Wahap Haji Abang Julai – Mayor (Datuk Bandar) of Kuching North (Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU))
• M. Zulfadhli Zainudin – Sarawakian tycoon, businessman, investor, and philanthropist
• Diana Rose – cultural activist and the founder of Lamin Dana Resort.^[20]
• Datu Sajeli bin Kipli – General Manager of the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA)
• Pemanca Albert Kiro bin Abau (The Late)

Notes and References

1. Pemuliharaan Sejarah dan Tamadun Borneo. 11 June 2019. Pusat Sejarah Brunei. 2007.
2. News: Tracing the origin of the name Kanowit. 21 September 2018. The Borneo Post. 4 July 2015.
3. News: FDiana Rose. A practical educationist. 28 January 2020. The Star. 12 July 2010. English.
4. News: Taib Mahmud's daughter faces resistance over Mukah candidacy. 1 May 2018. Free Malaysia Today. 16 April 2018.
5. News: Fahmy Azril Rosli. Ukur baju di badan sendiri. 1 May 2018. Free Malaysia Today. 8 April 2018. ms.
6. Web site: Terendak Melanau diangkat di pentas Borneo Fashion Week 2019. Astro Awani. 23 October 2019. 5 October 2019. Syafik Shukri Jalil.
7. Web site: BFW 2019 labuhkan tirai dengan jayanya. 10 October 2019. 7 October 2019. Syafik Shukri Jalil. Astro Awani. dmy-all .
8. Web site: Melanau fashion designer Abdul Latip Mohti passes away in Bintulu Hospital. 17 June 2020. 10 June 2020. Conni Banji. The Borneo Post. dmy-all .
9. Web site: Thrilling finale to Borneo Fashion Week 2018. 5 July 2019. 17 September 2018. Citizen Journalists Malaysia. dmy-all .
10. Web site: Rozie Khan: An eye for fashion. 23 October 2019. 23 March 2019. Priscilla Tawie. New Sarawak Tribune. dmy-all .
11. SHOWBIZ: From reality show to musical theatre http://www.nst.com.my/node/24055
12. Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub passes away at 87 http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/01/09/tun-abdul-rahman-yakub-passes-away-at-87/
13. Web site: Tun Abang Salahuddin tamat YDP S'wak. Malaysia Kini. 21 September 2018. 28 February 2014.
14. News: Embracing the spirit of diversity. The Star (Malaysia). 25 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091808/http://m.thestar.com.my/story.aspx?hl=Embracing+the+spirit+of+diversity&sec=opinion&id=%7B953A06EA-25A3-4DBC-8D55-8A4358F29C31%7D. 4 March 2016. dead.
15. News: Dr Juanda calon 'favourite' jawatan Mufti Perlis. The Star (Malaysia). 18 March 2019.
16. News: A lady named Nancy. The Borneo Post. 3 October 2017.
17. Keputusan Rasmi PRK DUN Balingian 29 Mac 2014 Sarawak http://www.melvister.com/2014/03/keputusan-rasmi-prk-dun-balingian-29-mac-2014-sarawak.html
18. News: Seduan Melanau mark completion of memorial. The Borneo Post. 16 June 2016.
19. Sarawak Book of Amazing Facts And Records
20. Web site: Lamin Dana sets up showroom in Miri as batik linut goes global. Philip Kiew. English. 8 July 2022. 8 July 2022.