List of people from Sarawak explained

The following is a list of prominent people who were born in or have lived in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, or for whom Sarawak is a significant part of their identity.

A

• Aaron Ago Dagang – politician, born in Kanowit, Sibu
• Aimanaimin Khusairi – footballer
• Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg – 6th Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Limbang
• Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha – former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and former member of parliament for Asajaya
• Abang Haji Openg – 1st Governor of Sarawak
• Abang Muhammad Salahuddin – 3rd and 6th Governor of Sarawak, born in Kampung Nangka, Sibu
• Abdul Rahman Ya'kub – 4th Governor of Sarawak and 3rd Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Kampung Jepak, Bintulu
• Abdul Taib Mahmud – 7th Governor of Sarawak and 4th Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Miri
• Adenan Satem – 5th Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Kuching
• Ahmad Lai Bujang – member of parliament for Sibuti
• Ahmad Zaidi Adruce – 5th Governor of Sarawak, born in Sibu
• Aidil Mohamad – footballer, born in Mukah
• Alan Ling Sie Kiong – lawyer and politician, born in Sibu
• Albert Kwok – leader of a resistance fighter known as the "Kinabalu Guerrillas" in Jesselton Revolt, Jesselton (present-day Kota Kinabalu in neighbouring Sabah) during Japanese occupation of British Borneo, born in Kuching^{[1] [2]}
• Alexander Nanta Linggi – federal Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and member of parliament for Kapit
• Alex Wong (SingleTrackMind) – independent musician and singer as well a retired professional jet ski racer
• Alice Lau Kiong Yieng – member of parliament for Lanang, born in Sibu
• Amirul Hakim – actor, television broadcast journalist and news presenter for TV3, born in Kuching
• Anding Indrawani Zaini – singer, host & actor, born in Kuching
• Angelina Chai Ka Ying, well-known as Angel - singer, a member of Dolla. Born in Kuching.
• Annuar Rapaee – member of State Legislative Assembly for Nangka, born in Sibu
• Anthony Lee Kok Hin – prelate
• Ashri Chuchu – footballer
• Aslina Chua – tennis player, born in Kuching
• Awang anak Raweng – Iban scout headman, born in Nanga Skrang, Sri Aman
• Azizan Saperi – footballer, born in Kuching

B

• Baru Bian – politician, born in Lawas
• Billy Abit Joo – member of parliament for Hulu Rajang
• Benedict Martin – footballer
• Benedict Sandin – Iban ethnologist, historian, and curator of the Sarawak Museum in Kuching
• Bertram of Sarawak – member of the family of White Rajahs who ruled Sarawak for a hundred years, born in Kuching
• Bolly Lapok – bishop, born in Sebemban, Sri Aman
• Bryan Nickson Lomas – diver, born in Kuching

C

• Camelia – singer and model, born in Kuching
• Celestine Ujang Jilan – politician and former Speaker for State Legislative Assembly
• Chan Seng Khai – 2nd mayor for Kuching South City Council, born in Kuching
• Chong Chieng Jen – lawyer and politician, born in Kuching
• Chong Ted Tsiung – 3rd mayor for Kuching South City Council, born in Kuching
• Clare Rewcastle Brown – British investigative journalist, born in Sarawak^[3]

D

• Dan Sullivan – Australian politician, born in Kuching^[4]
• Daniel Bego – swimmer, born in Kuching
• Dayang Nurfaizah – singer, born in Kuching
• Depha Masterpiece – musician and member of Masterpiece, born in Kapit
• Dewi Liana Seriestha – singer, model, beauty queen and the first Malaysian to win the Miss World Talent award in Miss World 2014 competition, born in Kuching^[5]
• Dion Cools – Belgian-Malaysian footballer, born in Kuching^[6]
• Ding Kuong Hiing – member of parliament for Sarikei
• Douglas Uggah Embas – Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak and former member of parliament for Betong
• Dunstan Endawie Enchana – former Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak and member of State Legislative Assembly for Krian, Saratok
• Dzulazlan Ibrahim – footballer

E

• Elizabeth Jimie – diver, born in Kuching

F

• Fadillah Yusof – Malaysian Works minister, born in Kampung Hilir, Sibu
• Fareez Tukijo – footballer
• Fatimah Abdullah – member of State Legislative Assembly for Dalat as the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development minister
• Francisca Luhong James – Miss Universe Malaysia 2020, born in Kuching

G

• George Chan Hong Nam – former Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak, state Industrial Development minister and state Tourism and Heritage minister, born in Miri
• Gilbert Cassidy Gawing – footballer, born in Miri

H

• Hafiz – singer, born in Kuching
• Hairol Mokhtar – footballer, born in Kuching
• Harrison Ngau Laing – environmentalist and former member of parliament
• Hasbi Habibollah – member of parliament for Limbang
• Henry Golding – British-Malaysian actor, born in Sarawak^[7]
• Henry Sum Agong – member of parliament for Lawas
• Halimah Ali - member of parliament for Kapar, born in Marudi

I

• Idris Jala – former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, born in Bario

J

• Jacob Dungau Sagan – member of parliament for Baram, born in Long Anap, Ulu Baram
• James Chan Khay Syn – 4th Mayor of Kuching South City Council, born in Kuching
• James Chin – Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania and leading scholar of Malaysian politics and society, born in Kuching
• James Dawos Mamit – former member of parliament for Mambong
• James Jemut Masing – Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak
• James Wan – Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer, born in Kuching^[8]
• James Wong – 1st Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak and former Leader of the Opposition, born in Limbang
• Jason Lo – music artist, producer, DJs, entrepreneur and former chief executive officer of Tune Talk, born in Kuching
• Jelaing Mersat – former member of parliament of Saratok
• Jessie Chung – singer-songwriter, musician, oncologist, actress, author, naturopath, and nutritional consultant, born in Kuching
• Jimmy Raymond – footballer
• Joseph Entulu Belaun – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and member of parliament for Selangau
• Joseph Kalang Tie – footballer
• Joseph Salang Gandum – former member of parliament for Julau
• Juanda Jaya – politician and former Mufti of Perlis
• Jugah Barieng – Paramount Chief of the Iban people and former Sarawak Internal Affairs minister
• Julian Tan Kok Ping – former member of parliament for Stampin

K

• Kanang anak Langkau – national hero and soldier from the Iban-Dayak community
• Kennedy Edwin – musician and member of Masterpiece, born in Kanowit, Sibu
• Koreyoshi Kurahara – Japanese screenwriter and director, born in Kuching^[9]
• Kuda Ditta – athletics, competitor at the 1964 Summer Olympics

L

• Lana Nodin – model and actress, born in Kuching
• Larissa Ping Liew - Miss World Malaysia 2018, born in Kuching
• Law Hieng Ding – former Science, Technology and the Environment minister
• Leo Michael Toyad – former member of parliament for Mukah
• Leo Moggie Irok – former politician and chairman board member of Tenaga Nasional
• Lily Eberwein – nationalist and women's right activist
• Liu Shan Bang – Sarawak Chinese historical warrior
• Lynda Ghazzali – entrepreneur and porcelain painter

M

• Muhammad Iyad Izzuddin Muhtar – actor
• Made Katib – former Anglican bishop
• Malcom Mussen Lamoh – member of State Legislative Assembly for Batang Ai
• Masir Kujat – member of parliament for Sri Aman
• Mathew Ngau Jau – Sapeh master and Malaysia's Living National Heritage. Performs and also making the musical instrument, born in Long Semiyang^[10]
• Mazwandi – footballer
• Margaret Lim – Canadian-born Malaysian book author^[11]
• Melvin Sia – actor, model and singer
• Melvin Wong Hwang Chee – entrepreneur, speaker and businessman as well founder of FanXT, born in Kuching
• Michael Manyin – member of State Legislative Assembly for Tebedu
• Mohd Azlan Iskandar – squash player, born in Kuching
• Mohd Effendi Norwawi – businessman, administrator and politician, former Agriculture minister

N

• Nancy Shukri – Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and member of parliament for Batang Sadong
• Natasha Seatter – Malaysian-Scottish female racing driver, born in Miri^{[12] [13]}
• Nicholas Teo – Malaysian singer based in Taiwan, born in Kuching^[14]
• Norah Abdul Rahman – former member of parliament for Tanjong Manis
• Neil Paul Sakai - Martial Artist, Wadoryu Karate Sensei and appointed as First Senior Zone (SEA) Instructor for Sakuukai Karate Federation, Japan

O

• Ong Kee Hui – politician and founder of Sarawak United Peoples' Party, born in Kuching
• Ong Poh Lim – Malayan/Singaporean badminton player, born in Kuching
• Ong Tiang Swee – renowned Chinese leader and businessman, born in Kuching

P

• Pandelela Rinong – diver, born in Bau
• Peter Chin Fah Kui – former Energy, Green Technology and Water minister and member of parliament for Miri
• Peter John Jaban – DJ on Radio Free Sarawak and human rights campaigner

R

• Reeshafiq Alwi – footballer
• Rentap – Iban-Dayak historical warrior
• Richard Riot Jaem – Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malaysia and member of parliament for Serian, born in Serian
• Robert Lau Hoi Chew – former Deputy Minister for Transport and member of parliament for Sibu, born in Sibu
• Robert Raymer – American writer and writing facilitator, born in Grove City, Pennsylvania and migrated to Kuching^[15]
• Rodney Akwensivie – Ghanaian-Malaysian footballer, born in Serian^[16]
• Rohani Abdul Karim – member of parliament for Batang Lupar
• Rosli Dhobi – nationalist, born in Kampung Pulo, Sibu
• Rubiah Wang – member of parliament for Kota Samarahan
• Rynn Lim – singer and actor, born in Kuching

S

• Stephen Mundaw - Lieutenant General-Datuk-Former commander of the Eastern Field Command-(Highest Malaysian Army Officer), born in Simanggang
• Sanjay Singh – squash player, born in Miri
• Sapok Biki – boxer, born in Simunjan
• Shahrol Saperi – footballer
• Shaun Maloney – English-Scottish footballer, born in Miri^{[17] [9]}
• Sherie Merlis – actress, born in Sibu
• Sim Kui Hian – cardiologist and Sarawak Local Government and Housing minister
• Simoi Peri – politician
• Stella Chung – actress and singer
• Stephen Kalong Ningkan – 1st Chief Minister of Sarawak, born in Betong
• Stephen Yong Kuet Tze – former Cabinet minister
• Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib – former Deputy Tourism minister
• Sulaiman Daud – former member of parliament for Petra Jaya
• Syarif Masahor – Sarawak Malay historical warrior

T

• Tawi Sli – 2nd Chief Minister of Sarawak
• Thane Bettany – English actor and dancer, born in Sarawak^{[9] [18]}
• Tiki Lafe – former member of parliament for Mas Gading
• Tiong Hiew King – businessman and founder of Rimbunan Hijau, born in Sibu
• Tiong King Sing – Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malaysia and member of parliament for Bintulu
• Tiong Thai King – former member of parliament for Lanang
• Traisy Vivien Tukiet – diver
• Tsai Horng Chung – Chinese-Malaysian painter, born in China and migrated to Sarawak during Japanese occupation of British Borneo
• Tsai Ming-liang – Taiwanese filmmaker, born in Kuching^[19]
• Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman – 2nd Governor of Sarawak

V

• Valentino Bong – Filipino-Malaysian squash player, born in Kuching^[20]
• Venice Elphi – footballer, born in Kuching
• Violet Yong Wui Wui – politician

W

• Wahab Dolah – former member of parliament for Igan
• Wan Junaidi – Minister of Entrepreneur Development And Co-operatives and member of parliament for Santubong
• Watson Nyambek – sprinter, born in Miri
• Watt Marcus – musician and member of Masterpiece, born in Sibu
• Welson Sim – swimmer, born in Kuching
• Wee Han Wen – architect and chairman of the Miri City Council
• Wee Kheng Chiang – businessman, born in Kuching
• Wee Kheng Ming – actor
• William Nyallau Badak – member of parliament for Lubok Antu
• Willy Edwin – musician and member of Masterpiece, born in Kanowit, Sibu
• Wilson Nyabong Ijang – politician, member of State Legislative Assembly for Pelagus
• Wong Ho Leng – former Opposition leader of Sarawak State Assembly, born in Sibu
• Wong Ling Biu – politician
• Wong Soon Koh – Opposition Leader of Sarawak State Assembly

Y

• Yi Jet Qi – Taiwanese singer and songwriter, born in Miri^[21]
• Yong Khoon Seng – former member of parliament for Stampin
• Yong Mun Sen (Yong Yen Lang) – artist and one of the founder of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, born in Kuching^[22]

Z

• Zamri Morshidi – footballer
• Zee Avi – singer-songwriter, guitarist and ukulele player, born in Miri
• Zulkifli Che Ros – weightlifter

See also

• Demographics of Sarawak

Notes and References

1. Web site: Remember the North Borneo resistance fighters. Andrew Hwang. The Star. 17 August 2010. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323165255/https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2010/08/17/remember-the-north-borneo-resistance-fighters/. 23 March 2018. dead.
2. Web site: FCAS prepared to set up Sabah Chinese Heritage Museum. The Borneo Post. 4 January 2018. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323165512/http://www.theborneopost.com/2018/01/04/fcas-prepared-to-set-up-sabah-chinese-heritage-museum/. 23 March 2018. dead.
3. Web site: British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown given police protection after being followed and photographed in Hyde Park. Ian Burrell. The Independent. 5 August 2015. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323164639/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/british-journalist-clare-rewcastle-brown-given-police-protection-after-being-followed-and-10441274.html. 23 March 2018. dead.
4. Web site: Mr Daniel (Dan) Frank Barron-Sullivan MLA. Parliament of Western Australia. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323161818/http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/Memblist.nsf/WAllMembersFlat/Barron-Sullivan,+Daniel+(Dan)+Frank?opendocument. 23 March 2018. dead.
5. Web site: Dewi membanggakan Sarawak dan Malaysia. ms. Utusan Borneo. 16 December 2014. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323155841/http://www.utusanborneo.com.my/2014/12/16/dewi-membanggakan-sarawak-dan-malaysia. 23 March 2018. dead.
6. Web site: Cools: I feel as much Malaysian as I do Belgian. Seng-Foo Lee. FourFourTwo. 10 August 2016. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323160608/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/cools-i-feel-much-malaysian-i-do-belgian. 23 March 2018. dead.
7. Web site: Sarawak-born Henry Golding defends Crazy Rich Asians casting. Kenneth Chaw. AsiaOne. 18 September 2017. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323162214/http://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/sarawak-born-henry-golding-defends-crazy-rich-asians-casting. 23 March 2018. dead.
8. Web site: 'The Conjuring' Malaysian-Born Director James Wan Talks About His Sarawak Hometown And Durians. Malaysian Digest. 15 June 2016. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323163506/http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/616861-the-conjuring-malaysian-born-director-james-wan-talks-about-his-sarawak-hometown-and-durians.html. 23 March 2018. usurped.
9. Web site: Foreign celebs you didn't know were born in M'sia. Jafwan Jaafar. Free Malaysia Today. 13 January 2016. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160114055755/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2016/01/13/foreign-celebs-you-didnt-know-were-born-in-msia/. 14 January 2016. dead.
10. Web site: National Heritage Living Person. Department of National Heritage, Malaysia. 31 May 2016. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322074633/http://www.heritage.gov.my/en/intangible-heritage/living-person/national-heritage-living-person. 22 March 2018. dead.
11. Web site: Margaret H.L. Lim. Fairy Bird Books. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323170519/http://fairybirdbooks.com.my/authors.html. 23 March 2018. dead.
12. Web site: Race driver all revved up to go the extra mile. Austin Camoens. The Star. 17 August 2010. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323173045/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/03/29/race-driver-all-revved-up-to-go-the-extra-mile-model-out-to-prove-shes-not-just-a-pretty-face/. 23 March 2018. dead.
13. Web site: From strength to strength. Nur Shahirah Mohd. The Sun. 1 June 2017. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323173312/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/06/01/strength-strength. 23 March 2018. dead.
14. Web site: Singer Nicholas Teo returns with intimate showcase on Dec 5 [VIDEO]]. Loong Wai Ting. New Straits Times. 27 October 2015. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323163327/https://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/singer-nicholas-teo-returns-intimate-showcase-dec-5-video. 23 March 2018. dead.
15. Web site: Robert Raymer. fr. Biblio Monde. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323161510/http://www.bibliomonde.com/auteur/robert-raymer-3066.html. 23 March 2018. dead.
16. Web site: Meet Sarawak's young defender who qualifies to play for Malaysia and Ghana. Seng-Foo Lee. FourFourTwo. 2 September 2015. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323163016/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/meet-sarawaks-young-defender-who-qualifies-play-malaysia-and-ghana. 23 March 2018. dead.
17. Web site: Maloney: I play for Scotland but Malaysia will always be a special part of me. Seng-Foo Lee. FourFourTwo. 21 October 2014. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323160511/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/maloney-i-play-scotland-malaysia-will-always-be-special-part-me. 23 March 2018. dead.
18. Web site: Thane Bettany. Scottish Theatre Archive. University of Glasgow. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323164339/http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/STA/search/detailp.cfm?NID=15552&EID=26340&DID=&AID=. 23 March 2018. dead.
19. Web site: Tsai Ming-liang: Then and now. Allan Koay. The Star. 9 February 2014. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323155527/https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/movies/news/2014/02/09/tsai-mingliang-then-and-now/. 23 March 2018. dead.
20. Web site: PHL eyes two golds in squash in KL SEA Games. Sun.Star Baguio. PressReader. 11 May 2017. 22 March 2018.
21. Web site: Music and charity in Yi's heart. Lim Chia Ying. The Star. 10 October 2010. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323163836/https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/music/news/2010/10/10/music-and-charity-in-yis-heart/. 23 March 2018. dead.
22. Web site: Remembering Yong Mun Sen (Born Kuching, Sarawak, January 10, 1896. Died Penang, September 29, 1962). Ooi Kok Chuen. Penang Institute. Penang Monthly. August 2010. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323170759/http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=9423&name=remembering_yong_mun_senborn_kuching_sarawak_january_10_1896_died_penang_september_291962. 23 March 2018. dead.