Latest news with #MatSator
Daily Express
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
Museum preserves legacy of Mat Salleh's right-hand man
Published on: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 12, 2025 Text Size: Maximillian briefs on what was once a site of the fort. TAMBUNAN: Kota Mat Sator, an old hidden fort in the district, stands as proof of the ingenuity of local warriors in resisting British forces in the early 1900s. Located 400 metres from Kota Mat Salleh in Tibabar, the fort was named after Mat Salleh's right-hand man, Mat Sator, who was entrusted with managing and guarding it. Advertisement Kota Mat Sator Museum curator Maxmillian Stanis Takong said the fort once served as the residence of Mat Salleh's wife, Dayang Bandang, who was believed to have mystical powers to turn corn kernels into hornets, a skill said to have helped defend the stronghold. Mat Sator, he said, fought alongside Mat Salleh against the British. After the fort's fall, he and about 400 followers attacked a British fort in Kudat and captured the area. 'The museum was set up to honour a warrior rarely mentioned in history. 'Although the fort was destroyed, Mat Sator managed to escape with his followers,' he said. Since its opening in 2016, the museum has become a reminder of Mat Sator's role in Tambunan's history. Maxmillian received a certificate of appreciation from Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Jeffery Kitingan during a Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang (KMJG) convoy visit in conjunction with National Month. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Tambunan's hidden fortress against British rule
Maxmillian explains the historical significance of one of the former fortress sites. TAMBUNAN (Aug 11): Kota Mat Sator is an ancient hidden fortress in the Tambunan district, featuring an advanced structure for its time in the 1900s. The fort, named after one of Mat Salleh's followers, Mat Sator, is located 400 meters from Mat Salleh's Fort in Tibabar. Its design reflects the ingenuity of the local people, making it difficult for the British to detect and conquer. According to Maxmillian Stanis Takong, curator of the Kota Mat Sator Museum, Mat Sator was a trusted lieutenant of Datuk Paduka Mat Salleh and was tasked with administering and guarding the fort. 'Research suggests that this fort served as the residence of Mat Salleh's wife, Dayang Bandang, who was believed to possess mystical powers — able to transform corn kernels into stinging bees, which helped defend Kota Mat Sator and Mat Salleh's stronghold. 'Mat Sator was a fellow warrior who fought alongside Mat Salleh against the British. After the fall of Kota Mat Sator, he and around 400 followers strategized an attack on the British fort in Kudat, successfully capturing the area. 'This museum was established to honor an often-overlooked hero. Despite the destruction of Kota Mat Sator, Mat Sator managed to escape with roughly 400 followers. 'Since its inauguration in 2016, the museum has stood as a testament to Mat Sator's legacy as one of Tambunan's independence fighters,' he said. During the event, Maxmillian received a certificate of appreciation presented by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffery G. Kitingan. The Kota Mat Sator Museum was one of the stops for the Konvoi Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang, as National Month is synonymous with honoring the sacrifices of past warriors.
