This work is originally published by Cahya Mata Sarawak. DayakDaily has been given permission to share this story on our platforms.
By Martin Yee, Kenny Ee, and Marlynda Meraw
IN the golden years of Sarawak’s athletic history, there stood a man whose name alone evoked strength, triumph, and a journey marked by both glory and hardship—Bujang Taha. His rise to fame in the 1960s and 1970s in the world of bodybuilding was not merely a story of muscle and might, but one of strength and character, a proof to a man who conquered against all odds.
Within the rugged, modest environment of his home, Bujang Taha trained in a makeshift gym—no fancy equipment, no modern facilities—simply working through raw determination. Alongside contemporaries like Salomon Esmanto, Bujang Taha cemented his place in the annals of Sarawak’s sporting legend. Together, they were among the earliest icons of bodybuilding; men who carved their names into the prestigious titles of national and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) competitions, long before the sport had earned the recognition it deserved.
In the buzzing bodybuilding scene of 1970s Sarawak, names like Suhardi Mukmin, William Yeo, and Kipli Abot echoed in the hearts of fans. They were household figures, participating in local fun fairs and national contests. But in a time when Malaysia was still finding its footing in international sports, Bujang Taha was a symbol, a successful product of the Sarawak Bodybuilding Association (SBBA), and an athlete who bore the weight of his State and country with pride, even when resources were scarce.
His first brush with fame came in 1971 when he claimed the Mr Kuching title. Soon after, he secured the much-coveted Mr Sarawak crown in 1973, and by 1975, he had ascended to the title of Mr Malaysia.
Representing his homeland, he donned the Sarawak colours in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, where he proudly brought home a bronze in 1982 and a silver in 1987, solidifying his place as a regional powerhouse.
Yet, for all his victories and medals, life beyond the spotlight was not as kind to the strongman. After retiring as a prison officer and stepping away from competitive sports, Bujang Taha slipped into the quiet shadows, his name drifting into the margins of history.
His final years were marked by struggles. As time wore on, the fame that once embraced him faded, leaving behind the weight of a life lived in quieter obscurity. In a cruel twist of fate, a fire consumed his home in Kampung Tanjung, Petra Jaya. The flames not only took his home but also his treasured medals and trophies—symbols of a lifetime of hard-fought battles and victories.
But even in his darkest moments, Bujang Taha’s legacy was not forgotten. The national athlete welfare foundation (YAKEB) led by his friend and fellow legend Mr Asia, Malek Noor, came to his aid. The Sarawak Ministry of Social Development stepped forward, reminding Sarawak of the man who had once lifted the State to glory. With their help, his house was rebuilt, a gesture of gratitude for a man who had given so much to Sarawak.
Bujang Taha passed away in 2014, losing his final battle with acute asthma, a complication that arose from mouth and lung cancer. His passing marked the end of an extraordinary life, leaving behind not just the memory of a great champion, but also the echoes of a forgotten hero. A man who had once stood tall on stage, commanding awe, now rests in quiet peace.
His tale is one intertwined with triumph and tragedy, a story of a man whose strength was not only in his body but in his spirit, a Sarawakian legend who reached for the stars and will forever be etched in the soul of Sarawak he so loved.
Even today, the name Bujang Taha rings out as a symbol of dedication and endurance serving as a reminder of what it means to truly be a champion. –DayakDaily
