Order of the Star of Sarawak

Order of the Star of Sarawak
Awarded by H.H. The Rajah of Sarawak
Type	Order
Motto	HARAPLAH SA-LAGI BERNAFAS (As long as i breathe,i hope)
Awarded for	to recognise exceptional services by the Sarawak subjects and Foreigners alike to the State of Sarawak
Status	Not Awarded since 1946 Dormant order since 2006
Rajah	Charles Vyner Brooke
Grades (w/ post-nominals)	Master(MSS) Companion(CSS) Officer(OSS)
Established	1928 - 1946
First induction	26th September 1928
Last induction	1946

The Most Excellent Order of the Star of Sarawak(lit: 'Darjah Yang Amat Gemilang Bintang Sarawak') was the highest state order during the days of the Kingdom of Sarawak. Instituted on 26 June 1929,^[1] The Order consisted of:

• Sovereign
• Grand Master

The three ordinary ranks of members are:

• Master (MSS)-consists of breast star, sash, and sash badge.
• Companion (CSS)-a badge worn from a necklet.^[2]
• Officer (OSS)-a badge worn from a medal ribbon on the left breast.

The Motto of the Order was 'Haraplah sa-lagi bernafas', which is also the Sarawak state motto. The motto is the translation of the Latin phrase Dum Spiro Spero, which literally means 'As long as I breathe, I hope'.

No appointment has been made since 1946, as the Order became obsolete when Sarawak became part of a British Colony in 1946. In 1964, the post-independence government of Sarawak revived the order and renamed it The Most Illustrious Order of the Star of Sarawak (Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak),and in 1988, the order was renamed again as the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak, or Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak in Malay. However, the revived order has no connection whatsoever with the previous order except for the name.

With the death of the last known recipient, Elizabeth Choy in 2006, the order became dormant in 2006.

Known recipients

Little is known about the recipients of this order,but there are three known recipients:

• Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah (1862–1946): A Malay leader in Kuching, and also in Sarawak, renowned for his non-violent struggle against the cession of Sarawak to Britain. Recipient of MSS.
• Ong Tiang Swee (1864–1950): A renowned Chinese leader in Kuching. His grandson, Late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Ong Kee Hui is a renowned politician. Recipient of CSS.
• Elizabeth Choy (1910–2006): Borneo-born Singaporean war heroine. Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke presented her with the Order in recognition of her work of assisting the British POWs during the Japanese occupation.

References

1. ^ Sarawak Government Almanac,Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad (Cawangan Sarawak)
2. ^ http://www.rarusnet.com/popup_image.php?pID=13900 Photo of the Companion medal,rarusnet.com

Links

• Orders & Decorations