Sarawak

The history of modern Sarawak is closely related to the adventures of an Englishman, Sir James Brooke after his advent to Sarawak in 1839. With a boundary extending from Tanjung Datu to Batang Samarahan.

In the 16th century, Sultanate of Brunei expanded his control over Borneo state, including the coastal area of Sarawak. The Governor, Pengiran Mahkota represented the Sultanate of Brunei in Managing Sarawak. Politically, the country was in a state of turmoil with the natives constantly in rebellion against Brunei's authority. The Sultanate of Brunei ordered the local resident to submit tax. All commodities were not allowed to be traded freely, instead were submitted to the sultanate which made a great fortune out of these items. Finally in 1837 the local people refuse to pay the heavy tax and rebelled against the Sultanate's government. To restore order, the Pengiran Muda Hashim of Brunei was sent but failed in his mission until Brooke returned the following year and offered his assistance. As a reward for his success in pacifying the revolts, Sir James Brooke was rewarded with a sizeable territory and installed as White Rajah of Sarawak in 24.9.1841. Thus began the reign of the White Rajahs under the Brooke family which was to last more than a century from 1841 to 1946.

During the first few decades of his first rule (White Raja), Sir James Brooke's hold over the century was greatly challenged not only by problems like piracy, but also by the armed resistance by his subjects, particularly the natives. Some measure of law and order was achieved and administrative changes were introduced. By 1861, Sarawak has been further enlarged with the Sultan's cession of all the rivers and lands from Sadong River to Kidurong Point. By 1864, it has been recognized as an independent State by both the United States and Britain. Further cession of territory occurred in 1868 with the reign of the second Rajah, Charles Brooke, so that by 1885 Sarawak's frontier extended to the valley of the Trusan River. In 1890, the Limbang region was added and in 1905, the Lawas River area was purchased from the British North Borneo Company.

Foreign protection was sought as early as the reign if the first Rajah to ensure Sarawak's political and economic survival and independence but it was only in 1880 that Sarawak was accorded British protection. With the decline in piracy and in a situation of relative political stability economic development gained momentum, this continued during the reign of the third Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke, who succeeded Charles Brooke in 24.5.1917.

In 1941, a new constitution was granted by the Rajah which paved the way for self-governance by the people. Among others, the constitution specified the composition of the Supreme Council and Council Negeri. Before the enactment could be effected, however, the Japanese invaded and occupied Borneo. When Sarawak was liberated in 1946, the third Rajah declared his intention to cede Sarawak to Great Britain, a decision which was opposed by many especially the natives who formed what was known as the Anti-Cession Movement. However, the Council Negeri voted 19 to 16 in favour of cession and Sarawak became a British Crown Colony on July the 1st, 1946. Dissatisfaction mounted, resulting in mass resignation of 388 Malay civil servants and the assassination of the Second British Governor of the colony of Sarawak in 1949. The British reaction to this attack was swift and the protest movement virtually died by 1950. A number of the anti-cessionists continued their involvement in politics and won for the State its "second independence" by supporting the formation of Malaysia mooted by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the then Chief Minister of Independent Malaya. In 1963, Sarawak achieved its independence within Malaysia.

The Brooke family issued their coinage in 1842. This was a copper token bearing the date "SEPT 24 1841" of James Brooke who brcame the White Rajah. It also included a badger/brock derived from the crest of Brooke arms, with an initial of "J.B" (James Brooke). While on the reverse was the Arabic inscription "Satu Keping" which mean one piece and date 1247 A.H (the year of 1831). Later year the following coinage were struck;

1863 -¼ Cents, ½ Cents and 1 Cents (Bearing the Portrait of Sir James Brooke)

1870 to 1897 -¼ Cents, ½ Cents and 1 Cents (Bearing the Portraits of Sir Charles Johnson Brooke)

1900 to 1906 -5 Cent, 10 Cents, 20 Cents and 50 Cents in Silver (Bearing the Portraits of Sir Charles Johnson Brooke

)

1920 to 1934 -1 Cents, 5 Cents, 10 Cents (Bearing the Portraits of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke)

1927 to 1941 - ½ Cents, 1 Cents in Bronze (Bearing the Portraits of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke)

1920 to 1927- 5 Cents, 10 Cent, 20 Cents and 50 Cents in silver.(Bearing the Portraits of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke)