Sarawak born that made us proud

Sarawak celebrates its Independence Day every year on July 22. The government of Sarawak gazetted the official Sarawak Independence Day as a public holiday in 2016

After the end of World War II, Sarawak was briefly administered by the British Military Administration, then became a Crown Colony in 1946 when it was ceded to the British Government by Charles Vyner Brooke.

Sarawak was granted independent self-rule on July 22 1963, before it formally joined Malaya, Sabah and Singapore to form the Federation of Malaysia on September 16.

The Land of Hornbills, known and celebrated worldwide, is seeped with cultural diversity, rich history, mighty rivers, ancient rainforests and wildlife wonders. 

Many Sarawakians went on to achieve fame for their contribution to various fields. Today we look at some famous people you might not have known who are Sarawakian. 

Henry Golding

Born on February 5, 1987, Golding is well known for his film role of Nick Young in Crazy Rich Asians. He was born in Betong, Sarawak. His mother, Margaret Likan Golding, is a native-born Sarawakian of indigenous Iban Dayak ancestry. His father, Clive Golding, is British.

Zee Avi

Izyan Alirahman or popularly known as Zee Avi is originally from Miri before she moved to London to study fashion design at the American InterContinental University. After returning from London, she started writing songs. Avi is the first Malaysian singer to have albums on the US Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart.

Shaun Richard Maloney

Shaun Maloney is a footballer former English Premier League footballer. He played for clubs such as Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic and Hull City. Maloney was born to an English father and Scottish mother in Miri and spent the first five years of his life in Sarawak.

Margaret Lim

Canadian children’s book author Margaret was born and educated in Kuching. Her children’s books are based on recollections of her childhood, which she spent with the native people deep in the interior of Sarawak. She passed away on May 8, 2011.

James Wan

James Wan is the famous director behind the Insidious movie franchise. He primarily worked in horror genre, starting with Saw, which grossed over $2 billion. He also directed Fast & Furious 7 and Aquaman. Wan was born in Kuching to Malaysian parents in 1977.

Pandelela Rinong

Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg was born in Kampung Kupuo Jugan to Hartini Lamim and Pamg Joheng. She represented Malaysia at the 2008 Summer Olympics and was chosen to be the flagbearer of Malaysia at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Pandelela went on to win the bronze medal in the 10m platform, becoming the first Malaysian female athlete to win an Olympic medal, apart from badminton. She also won the gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. 

Natasha Seatter

The 29-year-old race car driver was born in Miri to Scottish-Malaysian parentage and had been blazing the race tracks since she was 13 years old. She has been driving a Radical SR8 in the formula car circuits.