The Battle of Marudu 1845

by F.G. WHELAN

One of the most famous pirate strongholds in the history of piracy in the East Indies was at Marudu in the north of Sabah, not far from the present Langkon Estate. Most of the pirates who raided from this lair were Illanuns from the Philippines and their leader was the widely-known Serip Usman. For many years Usman and Pengiran Usop of Brunei had been allies: between them they were responsible for many acts of piracy. 

Many of their victims had been sold as slaves. Pengiran Usop was highly placed at the Court of Brunei. He was a son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifudin. He displaced the heir to the throne of Brunei, Rajah Mudah Hassim, as the chief adviser to the Ruler. The partnership between Usop and Usman was well known. Rajah James Brooke of Sarawak was determined to put down piracy so that all Borneo people could live in peace and trade freely.