RTM documentary on Antenom rebellion against the British August 31
Published on: Thursday, August 31, 2023
By: Marutin Ansiung
Text Size:
One of the interesting scenes of the Antenom documentary.
Tenom: The documentary on Pahlawan Ontoros @ Antenom produced by RTM will be broadcast on TV1 channel on Aug 31 at 10pm.
Warrior Descendant President, Welly @ Sinawat Antakah, said the filming of the documentary about the famous Murut warrior was held in several locations in Rundum Highlands formerly known as Kampung Rundum which was the centre of British administration during Antenom’s resistance to the British in 1915.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said the documentary narrates the struggle of the Ontoros @ Antenom warriors who defended the Murut region which was colonised by the British at that time.
“Among the scenes showed events after the fortress or “lavang” in Murut language was completed where Antenom gathered his right-hand men and told them that he would defend his territory and fight to the last drop of his blood to protect the Murut tribes then,” he said in an interview with RTM in Kota Kinabalu.
He said all the actors in the documentary are heirs of Antenom from Nabawan, Kemabong and Sipitang.
Welly thanked RTM for choosing the story about Antenom’s rebellion against the British into a documentary and broadcast in conjunction with this year’s independence month celebrations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Narrating the rebellion against the British, Welly said some Murut warriors led by Malayak and Linggam started on a small scale in 1907 but were defeated.
So Antenom gathered the Murut tribes to unite and fight as a strong team to defend and protect their homeland from the British.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Antenom’s real name is Ontoros bin Buyusan. The British called him Ante-nom whom they considered as their opponent or ante-nomad. However, the local community continues to use the title with the name Antenom until today,” Welly explained.
According to him, Antenom was firm, gentle and concerned about the fate of his tribe.
“Because of that he rebelled against the British who threatened the daily life of the Murut people at that time.
“Antenom was also known as Kalawon which means the greatness of a Warrior because of his strength, mental endurance, thinking skills and planning for the future of his tribe,” Welly added.
He said Kalawon has two explanation – a reference in general and in reference to a title especially for heirs.
“The second explanation refers to the supreme title of a leader from a noble lineage who has heroic and leadership qualities,” he said.
Antenom staged the rebellion against the British because they did not want to pay $1 tapai tax based on the size of the head per year (0.02 cent per 3kg of tapai @ bulak nasi and 0.01 cent for 3kg of tapioca and 0.25 cent per coconut tree for tuak.
Welly said the taxes for dogs and fish was $1.00 per year and two cent for bushel of rice and corn.
He said these taxes were burdensome to Antenom and the Murut tribe.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
.jpg)
“Among the scenes showed events after the fortress or “lavang” in Murut language was completed where Antenom gathered his right-hand men and told them that he would defend his territory and fight to the last drop of his blood to protect the Murut tribes then,” he said in an interview with RTM in Kota Kinabalu.
He said all the actors in the documentary are heirs of Antenom from Nabawan, Kemabong and Sipitang.
Welly thanked RTM for choosing the story about Antenom’s rebellion against the British into a documentary and broadcast in conjunction with this year’s independence month celebrations.
Narrating the rebellion against the British, Welly said some Murut warriors led by Malayak and Linggam started on a small scale in 1907 but were defeated.
So Antenom gathered the Murut tribes to unite and fight as a strong team to defend and protect their homeland from the British.
“Antenom’s real name is Ontoros bin Buyusan. The British called him Ante-nom whom they considered as their opponent or ante-nomad. However, the local community continues to use the title with the name Antenom until today,” Welly explained.
According to him, Antenom was firm, gentle and concerned about the fate of his tribe.
“Because of that he rebelled against the British who threatened the daily life of the Murut people at that time.
“Antenom was also known as Kalawon which means the greatness of a Warrior because of his strength, mental endurance, thinking skills and planning for the future of his tribe,” Welly added.
He said Kalawon has two explanation – a reference in general and in reference to a title especially for heirs.
“The second explanation refers to the supreme title of a leader from a noble lineage who has heroic and leadership qualities,” he said.
Antenom staged the rebellion against the British because they did not want to pay $1 tapai tax based on the size of the head per year (0.02 cent per 3kg of tapai @ bulak nasi and 0.01 cent for 3kg of tapioca and 0.25 cent per coconut tree for tuak.
Welly said the taxes for dogs and fish was $1.00 per year and two cent for bushel of rice and corn.
He said these taxes were burdensome to Antenom and the Murut tribe.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
