Rentap

by Ezzat Amier 

        Rentap was born in the Skrang area of Second Division in Sarawak. Not much is known about him until he was appointed one of the leading fighting men ("manok sabong" which literally means fighting cock) by a paramount chief in the division whose name was Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana "Bayang"

This chief as the Great War leader led major "ngayau" (war) expeditions to south of Sarawak to the mouth of Kapuas River in the now West Kalimantan in Indonesia. In one of those raids, the chief obtained a famous cannon with one of handles broken, thus it was called "Bujang Timpang Berang" (One Arm Bachelor) which marked with the year 1515. This cannon was later used by Rentap in his fight against the Brooke's troop at Sadok Hill until his final defeat in 1861. Libau Rentap, as a famous fighting man (Manok Sabong) of the Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang was a very brave fighting man and he always joined him in these sea war expeditions. In short, Dana "Byang" was indeed the mentor for Libau "Rentap" and another Paku Iban chief, Linggir "Mali Lebu".

      When Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang was old, Libau Rentap was taking over as the commanding officer and he led a number of similar raiding sea war expeditions to Sambas and Pontianak, Indonesia. During one of these raiding voyages Libau Rentap attacked and killed a boatful of Sambas people, one of them who was the nephew of the Sultan Sambas whose "Keris" (dagger) was identified by its golden handle was looted by Libau Rentap. From that incident, Libau RENTAP’s name became famous and was recognised by the Dayak Iban Skrangs as their Great War chief. This experience had prepared Rentap for the coming struggles in remaining his life especially in the rebellion against the famous Rajah James Brooke of Sarawak proper now called Kuching.