Mustapha Harun: from office boy to governor
March 29th, 2013 (Adapted from: http://bengodomon.com)
Tun Datu Haji Mustapha bin Datu Harun (31st July 1918 – 2nd January 1995), popularly referred to as Tun Mustapha, became the first governor (head of state / Tuan Yang Terutama) of Sabah in 1963, at the age of 45.
A chronology:
1928: at barely 10, worked as an errand boy for E.W. Morrell, the Resident of Kudat
1932: went to school at St. James’ School, Kudat, for only 9 months due to the death of his mother and the transfer of his father’s working place. It was apparently the only formal education he ever received.
1934, 18th October: joined the British North Borneo Company as an office boy (office orderly) in the district office of Kudat, under E.R. Evans.
1937, 1st February: promoted to the post of Native Chief (Ketua Anak Negeri) & Opium Clerk (Pemungut Cukai Candu).
1944, 24th December: fled to the Phillippines to join guerilla warfare against the Japanese. It was during this time that probably his most famous physical exploits were recorded. At Balambangan island (near Banggi island), he and another person, Haji Jaafar, fought and killed 5 Japanese soldiers with barungs, thick, leaf-shaped, single-edged blade swords, which look like the following:
1945, 1st January: promoted to Sergeant in the permanent army, assigned to Secret Service.
1945, 15th April: promoted to Captain.
1951: appointed First Grade Native Chief (carrying the title Orang Kaya-Kaya or OKK).
1952: chosen to enroll in a training program at RIDA (Rural and Industrial Development Authority) in Malaya.
1955: appointed, by the Governor, a Sabah Legislative Assemblyman & Sabah Executive Assemblyman. His political career had begun.
1959: chosen, by the North Borneo Colony and the British Council, to enroll in a one-year English and politics course in London.
1961, 24th December: USNO formed, Mustapha appointed its first president.
1963, 16th September: Malaysia formed, Mustapha became Sabah’s first governor.
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