Malaysian man’s life story preserves family history
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Juliana, the third of 17 children, is working to publish a book based on her father, Jusit’s, handwritten notes and stories.
Jusit began writing his life story after his daughter encouraged him to record his experiences, including his time living with Harry and Agnes Keith in Sandakan around the 1930s. He gave the manuscript to Juliana, who transcribed, typed, and organized it, then read it with him.
The book will cover more than just one event, as Jusit wanted to share important historical values at the state, national, and international levels, referencing the formation of Malaysia and his experiences with the Keith family. He also wanted his children to understand their family origins, including stories of his grandfather, Ensing, an Iban police corporal from Simanggang during the Brooke era, and his father, Rantai, who sacrificed to raise him.
Jusit also documented the Rundum rebellion as told to him by Rantai, including family involvement. Jusit’s most remembered role in national history occurred on September 16, 1963. He raised the national flag during the formation of Malaysia in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu), Sabah, alongside Sarawak and the Federation of Malaya. At 33 years old, Jusit was chosen from over 100 police officers partly because of his advocacy for British North Borneo, now Sabah, to be governed by local people.
A documentary titled ‘Anugerah 17’ also captured Jusit’s story with funding from the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia.
