Saudin, the orangutan whisperer: Documentary on Murut’s 1936 New York visit
Published on: Tuesday, November 30, 2021
By: Sherell Jeffrey
Saudin (left) with Johnson.
Kota Kinabalu: The first Sabahan – and perhaps the first Malaysian – to visit New York in 1936 and who returned to tell his tale is the subject of a documentary slated for release next year.Called “Saudin the Orang Utan Whisperer” it is expected to spark interest in Sabah and Keningau and revolves around Saudin Labotao from Kg Ambual in Keningau. He was hired by the world’s first wildlife filmmakers Martin and Osa Johnson to handle animals on their voyage from Sandakan to New York.
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Among the animals was Abai, the largest Orang Utan to be captured alive who was placed in the New York Zoo. It was so strong that it bent the bars there as reported in the New York Times then.
Saudin’s experience travelling to New York just before World War II was chronicled in Agnes Keith’s 1939 international classic, Land Below the Wind. She devoted an entire chapter to Saudin, as she did the Johnsons.
It was also Agnes who recommended Saudin to the the Johnsons for the purpose as he was skilled in looking after animals.
Saudin was featured in a coffee table book entitled “Spirit of Borneo: Hollywood’s first glimpse” about the Johnsons’ visit to then British North Borneo in 1920 and 1935.
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The book was co-authoured by Daily Express Chief Editor James Sarda and Universiti Malaya History Professor Datuk Dr Danny Wong.
James had also featured Saudin in a special report in the paper titled “Saudin, The Murut Marco Polo.” His trip to New York took him to Singapore, India, South Africa and many other ports of call along the way.
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Producer Noreini Rahman of Rye Production Sdn Bhd said interest in making a movie about Saudin was sparked when she came across the “Spirit of Borneo” now a collector’s item due to its limited circulation. She carried out extensive research on Saudin both in Keningau as well as places he had been to while in New York and liaised with the Safari Museum in Kansas where much of the Johnsons memorabilia are kept.
Joniston with the film crew yesterday.
Noreini also established contact with Saudin’s family members and has involved his grandchildren in the film as well.
The production team on Monday met with Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai to discuss possible collaboration to promote the documentary as well as turn Saudin’s house in Keningau into a museum gallery for heritage tourism.
Also present were Sabah Tourism Board chief financial officer Julianus Jimit and Saudin’s grandchildren Norman James Saudin and Norsina James Saudin.
Joniston, who is also Assistant Minister of State Tourism, Culture, and Environment, agreed on the necessity for Saudin’s story to be told because he played an important role in bridging the gap between different cultures.
“Something has to be done. The Sabah Tourism Board is always looking for new tourism products, and Saudin story has much potential.
“We need to promote who Saudin is and I believe the documentary will generate interest. Of course, we will play our part in promoting Sabah,” he said.
Joniston said a team would be sent to Saudin’s abandoned house in Kg Ambual to assess the possibility of turning it into a tourist attraction.
Saudin’s house, according to his grandchildren, is in its original condition but has been slightly damaged by termites. His belongings have also been left in place. His grave is nearby.
Noreini said she spent four years researching Saudin and that the production team pitched the story to the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and History Channel.
The documentary is nearly finished and would be submitted to Finas as well as the History Channel for final approval.
“With the assistance of the Sabah Tourism Board, we hope to launch the documentary in Sabah. This is a crucial documentary focusing on a native Sabahan and we want the younger generation to know him as he is part of history.
“We also engaged the Kansas History of Museum, and they are excited to collaborate with us,” she added.
Norman, his grandson, plays Saudin in the documentary. The friendship between Saudin and the animals he cared for, as well as the western people he met, is highlighted in the story.
There was also interest in making a musical on Saudin a few years ago by a Sabahan entrepreneur, Peter Chua. However, it did not materialise.
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