Artikel Ketujuh - Rosli Dhobi

By : Siti Sarah Bakar

The spirit to fight the British from control of the State after the Second World War has existed in young people aged 17 years. Born in 1932, Rosli Dhobi is a historical figure in the State.

Derived from Kampung Pulo Sibu, Sarawak, Rosli Dhobi is a brave man to defend our beloved homeland. He was sentenced to hang in a very young age. Sentence received following the stabbing action of the Governor of Sarawak, the second Sir Duncan Stewart.

Just use a knife, which is poisonous, Rosli Dhobi was imprisoned in the prison of Sarawak before hanged with his colleagues Morshidi Sidek, Awang Ramli Awang Bujang Matsaruddin and Sutong.

Rosli Dhobi is a member of the Malay Youth Movement Saeawak (GPMS). This movement against the British colonial government was established in private after the family of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke defeated Japanese hands during World War II. In addition, Sarawak would also like dispersed to the Colonial Office in London after the War in 1945.

Sarawak has been dominated by the British colonial government since 1842 by the family of Sir James Brooke. Queries the state rule has been revealed to his nephew and son of Sir Charles to Sir Charles, Sir Charles Vyner. The rule only lasted 99 years when they lost to Japan in 1941.

Rosli Dhobi was one of a members of the Rukun 13 of the GPMS. GPMS is a combination of Malay leaders of Brunei and Sarawak Melanau. This movement was led by Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdillah who was Prime Minister of Sarawak at the time of Sir Charles Vyner.

Rukun 13 was established on February 21, 1949 at Queensway Road, Sibu. Rukun 13 is intended to stab Sir Duncan is so disliked by the people of Sarawak natives. Attitude that has made public transport natives in Sarawak and Brunei do not like him.

By consensus, or more correctly, the members of the Rukun 13, they chose to stab Sir Rosli Dhobi Duncun. The tragedy occurred when Sir Duncan and colonial agent visit to Sibu on December 3, 1949.

At 9.30 am on the same day, by shouting the sentence "Get out of here or die!" Rosli Dhobi to stab Sir Duncan is still ignoring her words. After the incident, Rosli Dhobi and his colleagues who had descended Melanau and Morsidi Sidik had been arrested by British police. Sir Duncan was sent to Sibu Hospital and hospitals in Singapore for more intensive treatment. But the British officers had died seven days after the incident occurred.

Due to the death of the British Officer, Rosli Dhobi and Morsidi Sidik and two partners they Rambli Awang Awang Bujang Suntong Matsaruddin and was sentenced to death. The sentence was executed on March 2, 1950 in Kuching Prison Tabuan Road, Kuching. They all are buried without a headstone.

They were buried in their places at the gallows of the Kuching Central Prison. They also buried without a tombstone under the walls of the prison yard. This occurs because the British were worried about the resurgence of anti-colonial resistance movements that have ceased abruptly after the death of Rosli Dhobi and his colleagues.

Before the death sentence meted out to the freedom fighter that is, Rosli Dhobi, wrote a letter to his mother and father. Based on the correspondence, he check some messages to his parents and all over the place.

Among the contents of the letter which was written by Rosli Dhobi are:

1.       Good separation son say on the death of a terrible son. Do not remember and appealable because it was already nasid and child destiny inevitable and possible.

2.        Keep aik and sisters and all our members. Give all the subjects either supererogatory or Prescribing them.

3.        Forgive my sins and offenses red soles son of his father and mother maintained until separation son. And lawful food and drink son.

4.        Wrap the dead child with the National Banner of Sarawak.

5.        All appliances stationery, books and clothes the child, give it all to the sister Aini.

6.        While child Fatimah, give the name to commemorate ROSLI Child.

7.        Give salutation and forgiveness as well as safe from child to mother and uncle old son.

8.        Father and mother and family members do not forget the welfare of all and prayed for special supplies to natural death.

After almost 46 years Rosli Dhobi and his colleagues buried under the walls of the prison yard. Only in 1996, they were buried properly. On March 2, 1996 located in Sibu, four nationalist fighters were buried after the official ceremony attended by the Governor of Sarawak fifth Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Mohamad Noor. Late is one of their friends who also descended Melanau.

Each warrior was given the honor of Sarawak in Makam Pahlawan Sarawak buried near the mosque Sibu. During the ceremony last perkembumian, all the remains of the dead were placed in the coffin. The coffin is covered with the flag of the State, such as what is requested by Rosli Dhobi in his letter before ditali suspension.

Rosli Dhobi was regarded as the champion of the people who understand his struggles. And treated as murderers by those who do not support the cause.

Rosli Dhobi of Sarawak's independence hero who is still remembered by all Malaysians. The spirit and courage that can guide the ganerasi will come to produce the people and country free from colonial rule.