Newly-weds driven in dad’s car – only one in Semporna
Published on: Saturday, April 10, 2021
By: British North Borneo Herald
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A wedding took place on the 13th of August 1938, at the far-off town of Semporna, British North Borneo, when the eldest son of Mr and Mrs A K Abu Bakar, was married to Miss Norsiah binte Martamin.
The father of the bridegroom is one of the biggest British Borneo Timber Company Contractors, and a leading member of the Muslim Community of Semporna. The bride’s father too is one of the head mandors of the same Company.
Just before the ceremony, the bridegroom, whose name is Mr Abdullah bin Abu Bakar, was driven round in his father’s motor-car — which is the only car in Semporna. He was dressed in a dark navy blue satin uniform, and the procession was headed by the famous Chinese Dragon Procession, which was all the more amusing as the participants in the play were all Malays. Behind the bridegroom’s car a long line of flashily dressed people of all Semporna practically were following.
After being taken round the town, the bridegroom was driven back to the large bungalow of Mr Abu Bakar’s where the marriage ceremony was conducted and the bridegroom was allowed to sit on the throne beside his bride.
On the night of the wedding a huge gathering mended the grand reception which was given by the bridegroom’s father. Native. Malay and European Music and Dancing was in full swing until the early hours of the next morning.
Murder suspect found dead
LAMAG, 17th October, 1938
Peace and quietness again reign over Kampong Pintasan and Ruyongon. Women are again quietly weeding their ladangs now that news has been received that a dead body has been found by a search party under P.C.232 Gindog not far from the place of the recent murder case. The body was that of Kalawot the suspected murderer.
The only means of escape would have been by the Native track from Kuala Tidog to Ulu Segama or by gobangs going either up or down river, but Tidog had been closely watched; Mr R B Cabiling of the British Borneo Timber Co. and his coolies were working in that area and all gobangs had been ordered to be hauled ashore after sunset. Apparently Kalawot did not intend to make good his escape.
There have been several transfers of Native Chiefs lately. Panglima Ugi was transferred to Sukau. Vice District Chief Pangiran Mohamed Salleh who has transferred back to Sungai Sungai vice Panglima Sabran who went up to Kwamut in place of Panglima Ugi.
Pangiran Mohamed Salleh, since his transfer to Sukau has not been keeping good health, and he could not make himself at home in Sukau. We wish him health and happiness in his old home!
Last Chartered Company Gov dies
JESSELTON, Thurs. – Sir Robert Smith, KBE, CMG, the last Governor and Commander-in-Chief of North Borneo during the period of Chartered Company rule, died in Sierra Leone yesterday. He was aged 71.
Sir Robert Smith joined the Chartered Company as a cadet in 1913 and served in various offices including those on Resident Interior, Resident West Coast, and Government Secretary.
He was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the State of North Borneo in 1937. During the Japanese Occupation, he was interned in Harbin. He retired in October 1946 and received his Knighthood in 1947.
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