Memorial monument of Murut warriors in Kemabong launched
TENOM: The gateway and memorial monument of the Murut tribal warrior in art and heroic depiction costing RM1 million as a landmark for the Kemabong subdistrict has been fully completed and opened to the public since several months ago.
Kemabong state assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang, who opened the landmark when met in Keningau on Saturday, told reporters that the construction of the project to symbolise the uniqueness of the Murut tribe in Kemabong was fully funded by the state government through the Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB).
He said the carvings at the gateway showed unity and in the Murut language ‘Pasimbongan’’ where there were a jar, gong, blowpipe and spear.
“The project has been completed over the last few months and was just officially opened on Saturday,” he said.
Rubin, who is also the President of the Sabah Murut Association (PMS), said the memorial monument of the unnamed Murut hero symbolised the heroism of the tribe in the days of their ancestors.
He added that the monument was built solely to commemorate Murut tribal fighters in the past who defended the territory from British colonisation at the time.
“At that time, many Murut warriors were mighty men in the lead and became heroes but in the end, they grew old and unwell and they had appointed Datuk Seri Panglima Antanom, also known by his real name Ontoros, as leader. Antanom was his father’s name.
“When Antanom was appointed, he continued the struggle of the famous heroes and leaders of the ancestors,” he disclosed.
According to Rubin, this meant that Antanom’s appointment as leader was made by his uncle or his grandfather.
The Antanom mini museum has now been made available in Tenom town with only the Antanom monument not made available due to the fact that they had not obtained a real facial description or actual portrait of Antanom.
He said the construction of the mini museums and Antanom monuments were under the responsibility of the State Museum Department.
“So far, the museum has not yet built Antanom memorial monuments as it is still looking for the hero’s real heirs who have evidence, either Antanom’s grandchildren or great grandchildren, to take into account the building of this Murut hero monument.
“This is because his portrait has not actually been found at this point although some say they are in England but when you surf the internet and see the portrait, it is not Antanom.
“So a real picture of Antanom’s face has not been acquired and therefore, we are not asking the state museums to build a new Antanom monument,” Rubin explained.
He added this was to avoid the monument from being misinterpreted by the Murut community and visitors who come to this area as the monument in Kemabong town was only meant to symbolise the heroism and empowerment of the Murut tribal leaders of that time.
Therefore, this present monument had no name and was only a monument in commemoration of the Murut fighters who had been killed during the fight against British colonisation, said Rubin.
Aside from that, the landmark also stood as a testimony that the Murut had been involved in defending the state of Sabah, or more commonly known as North Borneo at the time, he added.
Rubin pointed out further that landmarks such as these can be found anywhere around the world such as in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States of America, France, London and other countries of the world where there were monuments to commemorate the leaders who had served their country.
The goal of building the gateway and the memorial monument, he said, was to show the present generation that ancient times; art and culture, especially carving art; and the Murut heroes were the pride of this society to this day.
“This landmark is also an attraction for tourists who want to know about the ethnic Murut through the carved artwork available at the gateway as well as the memorial monument of the hero of this tribe,” he said.
Rubin was expressed satisfaction with the project’s construction works by a contractor, which took six months and was completed last year according to specification with beautiful design and quality work.