KUCHING: A groundbreaking documentary series is set to peel back the curtain on the lives of Sarawak’s past and present Heads of State, revealing deeply personal, untold and at times controversial narratives rarely known to the public.
Beyond historical accounts, the series dives into lesser-known facets of these renowned figures.
From seven Heads of States with different eras, the documentary also explores human stories behind the state’s most influential leaders.
Each Head of State is featured in two episodes, covering not only their public roles but also their struggles, sacrifices and family dynamics.
Interviews with their children, grandchildren, peers, former staff, and even everyday Sarawakians provide multi-dimensional portraits that challenge conventional narratives.
Family members reveal personal anecdotes, emotional memories, and conflicting public perceptions — some of which have persisted for decades.
For example, the documentary on Tun Datuk Patinggi Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Muhammed addresses controversial claims suggesting he was a spy or political traitor.
Project director and producer Mohamad Haimey Abdul Razak described working on the episodes as a captivating journey.
“The first episode chronicles Tun Ahmad Zaidi’s struggles and hardships on his journey to becoming the Head of State, while the second episode is more focused on his personality and features interviews with his family members,” he said.
“There are always two sides to every story – some claim Tun Ahmad Zaidi was a spy, others refute it. So these are the parts where viewers can see when it airs,” he said.
Meanwhile, script writer Gerrald Gilles said the narrative blends both historical facts and deeply personal elements, focusing on lesser-known aspects of the late Tun Ahmad Zaidi’s life.
“Many Sarawakians may recognise his name through roads, schools or university colleges named after him, but few truly know his story. Through this documentary, we aim to take viewers on a journey through his life — his struggles, sacrifices, and values — stories that have never before been publicly told,” he said.
On the script writing process, he added that the process also involved travelling outside of Sarawak to gather interviews.
“Since Tun pursued his studies in Indonesia and was even smuggled into the country by sympathisers, we travelled there to trace his past.
“Bandung was particularly significant — it’s where Tun married Toh Puan Rosmiati Kendati and began raising their four children,” he said.
He said that interviews with Tun Ahmad Zaidi’s children, relatives, and lifelong comrades were particularly revealing.
“They gave us a fuller picture of who he was – not just a teacher, leader or father, but a visionary nationalist who always put Sarawak first.
“The emotional weight of their recollections — some of which brought tears to our eyes — reshaped our narrative,” he said.
Rudi Affendi Khalik, who directed the documentaries on Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya’akub highlighted the difficulty of sourcing archival visuals.
“There was a severe lack of documentation – photos, videos, and even recorded interviews were scarce,” he said.
Despite this, Rudi’s team managed to reconstruct storylines using available materials and expert interviews, ensuring each episode retained depth and clarity.
For Haziq Anwar who directed the documentary on Tun Abang Openg Abang Sapiee, he shared that during the documentaries, the team had to use artificial intelligence to generate certain visuals due to a lack of archival images.
“For example, there was a mention of Tun Datuk Patinggi Temenggong Jugah Barieng or Tun Jugah shaking hands with Tun Abang Openg, but no photo exists of that moment.
“Therefore, we used AI to generate the image. It was very helpful in allowing us, as editors, to visualise what viewers would want to see,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ekamiezza Kamil, who directed episodes on the present Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman found the research process humbling.
“This was my first time directing a biographical documentary, and it was overwhelming. But slowly, as we interviewed grandchildren, historians and acquaintances, a story began to form,” she said.
She also expressed hope that through the documentaries, viewers can witness the personal side and real struggles of the state leaders — not just their official roles, but their human stories filled with strength and purpose.
“You cannot love what you do not know. And to truly appreciate Sarawak, we must first understand those who fought for it,” she said.
As for Dayana Rafiee who directed the documentary on Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, she said working on the documentary was a learning curve that revealed the former Head of State’s personal side.
“I do hope through the documentary, viewers will also gain a deeper understanding of his life and legacy,” she said.
Afiezul Samit, a contributor to the series, said producing a quality documentary required sourcing information from those who truly knew the state’s leaders.
“Despite the challenges, the team did their best to uncover the stories behind Sarawak’s political legacy,” he said.
