Rentap
Encyclopedia
Rentap or Libau was a famous Dayak
(Iban
) warrior in Sarawak
, Malaysia during the Brooke
White Rajahs
era in that state. "Rentap" in Iban means "Worldshaker". He was known as "Raja Darat" or "Raja Ulu".
Essentially, Rentap's rebellion was due to the White Rajah's or James Brooke
's action of eliminating the Ibans in Skrang because he thought they were pirates. Being a leader of the Ibans there, Rentap took the subsequent action of attacking James Brooke's fort at Skrang River called Nanga Skrang. Brooke then burnt Rentap's village after he successfully drove James Brooke's side out of Skrang. He retreated to Bukit Sadok and built himself a fort after a defeat at Sungai Lang, Ulu Skrang by James Brooke in 1854. There he gained a reputation and thwarted many plans by James Brooke to control the Skrang and Saribas
areas. Only after many attempts and with the aid of bigger cannons did James Brooke defeat Rentap in 1861. Though defeated, Rentap never officially surrendered. He retreated to Bukit Sibau, Ulu Wak, Pakan
and died in same place. In Malaysia, he is not only renowned in Sarawak, but he is also a national hero in both Sabah
and the Peninsula as both a national hero and a freedom fighter.
Rentap's battle cry was Agi Idup, Agi Ngelaban!! which means I will fight as long as I will live!!. This legendary battle cry later became Malaysia's Royal Ranger Regiment
motto.
Dayak people
The Dayak or Dyak are the native people of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily...
(Iban
Iban people
The Ibans are a branch of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. In Malaysia, most Ibans are located in Sarawak, a small portion in Sabah and some in west Malaysia. They were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. Ibans were renowned for practising headhunting and...
) warrior in Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
, Malaysia during the Brooke
James Brooke
James, Rajah of Sarawak, KCB was the first White Rajah of Sarawak. His father, Thomas Brooke, was an English Judge Court of Appeal at Bareilly, British India; his mother, Anna Maria, born in Hertfordshire, was the illegitimate daughter of Scottish peer Colonel William Stuart, 9th Lord Blantyre,...
White Rajahs
White Rajahs
White Rajahs refers to a dynasty that founded and ruled the Kingdom of Sarawak from 1841 to 1946, namely the Brookes, who came originally from England. A Rajah is a monarch in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.-Rulers:...
era in that state. "Rentap" in Iban means "Worldshaker". He was known as "Raja Darat" or "Raja Ulu".
Essentially, Rentap's rebellion was due to the White Rajah's or James Brooke
James Brooke
James, Rajah of Sarawak, KCB was the first White Rajah of Sarawak. His father, Thomas Brooke, was an English Judge Court of Appeal at Bareilly, British India; his mother, Anna Maria, born in Hertfordshire, was the illegitimate daughter of Scottish peer Colonel William Stuart, 9th Lord Blantyre,...
's action of eliminating the Ibans in Skrang because he thought they were pirates. Being a leader of the Ibans there, Rentap took the subsequent action of attacking James Brooke's fort at Skrang River called Nanga Skrang. Brooke then burnt Rentap's village after he successfully drove James Brooke's side out of Skrang. He retreated to Bukit Sadok and built himself a fort after a defeat at Sungai Lang, Ulu Skrang by James Brooke in 1854. There he gained a reputation and thwarted many plans by James Brooke to control the Skrang and Saribas
Saribas
Saribas is an area made up of the three main rivers in the Betong Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. The three rivers are Batang Layar, Batang Paku, and Batang Rimbas....
areas. Only after many attempts and with the aid of bigger cannons did James Brooke defeat Rentap in 1861. Though defeated, Rentap never officially surrendered. He retreated to Bukit Sibau, Ulu Wak, Pakan
Pakan
Pakan was Provincial Electoral District in Alberta, Canada. The riding was created in 1909 when Victoria shifted its boundaries west into Sturgeon. The riding was named after the small town of Pakan, Alberta....
and died in same place. In Malaysia, he is not only renowned in Sarawak, but he is also a national hero in both Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
and the Peninsula as both a national hero and a freedom fighter.
Rentap's battle cry was Agi Idup, Agi Ngelaban!! which means I will fight as long as I will live!!. This legendary battle cry later became Malaysia's Royal Ranger Regiment
Royal Ranger Regiment
The Royal Ranger Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Malaysian Army. Although it is second in seniority to the Royal Malay Regiment , the RRD can trace its origins back to the mid 19th century and the establishment of The Sarawak Rangers, the peacekeeping force in the Sarawak region...
motto.