This is the list of prominent people of
Melanau descent.
Early history
Pangeran Matusin (also known as Pangeran Mat Hussin Gagah) – Mukah Governor during
SultanateBrunei. 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]
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
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]
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).
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;
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)
This is the list of prominent people of
Melanau descent.
Early history
Pangeran Matusin (also known as Pangeran Mat Hussin Gagah) – Mukah Governor during
SultanateBrunei. 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]
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
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]
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).
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;
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)