Datu Mustapha Datu Harun
Malaysian politician, first Yang Di-Pertua Negara and third Chief Minister of Sabah.
Datu Mustapha bin Datu Harun was a Malaysian politician who served as the 3rd Chief Minister of Sabah and the 1st Yang Di-Pertua Negara. He is sometimes called the "Father of Independence" of Sabah for his role in negotiations leading to the formation of Malaysia. He also founded the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) and contributed to Sabah's early development in education, economy, and the spread of Islam.
Quick Facts
- Honorific prefix
- Allahyarham Tun Datuk Seri Panglima
- Office
- Chief Minister of Sabah
- Governor
- Pengiran Ahmad Raffae
- Fuad Stephens
- Mohd Hamdan Abdullah
- Took office
- 12 May 1967
- Left office
- 1 November 1975
- Predecessor
- Peter Lo Sui Yin
- Successor
- Mohammad Said Keruak
- Order
- 1st Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah
Facts from the source article.
Personal life
Datu Mustapha, originally named Datu Badiozaman, was born on 31 July 1918 at Kampung Limau-Limauan, Kudat. Frequent illness in his youth led to a name change to Datu Mustapha, based on local belief that this would help him overcome sickness. He was also known by the nickname Jaman. His father was Datu Harun bin Datu Nasaruddin and his mother was Norani Hj. Abdul Rahim. He was the fourth of nine siblings: six girls and three boys. His lineage traces back to the Sultans of Sulu, and he was of mixed Suluk-Bajau origins (Bajau Bannaran/Bajau Kudat). During World War II, he led rebellions against Japanese forces in Kudat. When the Japanese could not find him, they captured and killed his younger brother, who refused to reveal his hiding place. Albert Kwok invited Mustapha to join the Jesselton Revolt, but Mustapha advised waiting. Kwok launched the revolt early due to impending Japanese conscription of Chinese, initially succeeding but eventually being overwhelmed and executed. The Japanese then carried out large-scale massacres of indigenous civilians.
Political career
Mustapha founded USNO and ruled it with an iron fist, with the description that "Mustapha was USNO and USNO was Mustapha. Upon the formation of Malaysia, he was appointed the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah, while Donald Stephens became chief minister. In July 1964, USNO requested power to appoint the chief minister after the legislative assembly was expanded, making Stephens' position dependent on USNO. Negotiations in Kuala Lumpur led to a compromise: increased USNO representation in the cabinet while Stephens retained his post. After the 1967 state election, USNO won and Mustapha became the third Chief Minister. His relationship with the Malaysian central government was strained; he threatened to secede Sabah and refused to sign an oil agreement giving only 5% of revenue to the state, demanding at least 30%. He was Deputy President of PERKIM, head of United Sabah Islamic Association, and a member of RISEAP. In 1975, USNO secretary-general Harris Salleh left to form BERJAYA, which won the 1976 state election, ousting Mustapha.
Controversies
Mustapha is remembered negatively by Catholics and other Christians in Sabah for strictly enforcing immigration laws to deny foreign priests and missionary pastors extensions of their visas. Using his powers as Chairman of the State Security Operation Committee and Chief Minister, he arrested priests who objected to their expulsion. On 2 December 1972, police raided missions at Bundu Tuhan (Ranau), Papar, Tambunan, and Kuala Penyu. At Tambunan and Papar, raids occurred early in the morning with church bell ropes cut to prevent warnings. Priests were taken to Kapayan before parishioners knew. On 15 December, more priests were arrested at Keningau, Tenom, and Limbahau (Papar). Remaining priests with temporary permits left or were reassigned. A biography of political opponent Datuk Peter Mojuntin, who died in the Double Six Crash, was banned; it allegedly recorded that Mojuntin exposed Mustapha's attempt to stop Catholicism by deporting and arresting foreign priests. Peter's house was surrounded by police after the arrests, but he was not arrested due to strong Kadazan support.
Death and legacy
Mustapha died on 2 January 1995 at the Sabah Medical Centre in Likas, Kota Kinabalu, at age 76. His remains lay in state at his Tanjung Aru residence before burial at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Ulu/Ulu Seberang, Putatan, Penampang, formerly a fortress of Paduka Mat Salleh; the state government named it "Taman Memorial Tun Datu Haji Mustapha." Posthumously, he was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Development by Universiti Malaysia Sabah in 2006. The Sabah Foundation Building was renamed Tun Mustapha Tower, and Tun Mustapha Marine Park in Kudat and MRSM Tun Mustapha in Tawau were named after him.
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