Mat Sator Museum to open in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A local warrior who fought alongside the renowned Mat Salleh against British colonialists is set to gain more prominence with a museum dedicated to his exploits to be opened on Monday.

The warrior Mat Sator was the right-hand man of Mat Salleh in his uprising against the North Borneo Chartered Company from 1895 until the 1900s.

The Mat Sator Museum at Kampung Kapayan Lama in the interior Tambunan district was the location of his fort before it was overrun by soldiers in the 1900s.

The museum featuring exhibits about Mat Sator’s history and his exploits is scheduled to be opened by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan on Monday.

Sabah Museum director Sintiong Gelet said the Mat Sator Museum was about 600m away from another museum focusing on Mat Salleh at Kampung Tibabar.

“The Mat Sator Museum is part of our efforts to highlight the various historical sites in Sabah. We also have one in Tenom focusing on the warrior Antenom,” he said.

He said while Mat Salleh was killed when soldiers attacked his fort in January 1900, Mat Sator was believed to have managed to escape and continued the uprising for another five years.