The real name of Mat Salleh was Datu Muhammad Salleh Datu Balu. From the other resource mentioned that the real name of Mat Salleh was Datu Shariff Abdul Rashid Bin Datu Shariff Muhammad Salleh. Mat Salleh had varieties of nicknames. One of it was Shariff Abdul Salam.
Picture of Mat Salleh
He was born in Inanam in North Borneo. Mat Salleh was described as slender and tall. In addition, Mat Salleh also known as a mysterious and intelligent man. He had a commanding personality and presence. He also was well-respected besides had great tactical skills which well-known by the local communities. Mat Salleh also was originated from the Suluk Paitan ethnic group.
"A" is Inanam
Mat Salleh's father named Datu Balu or anakanda Sultan Iskandar Qudratullah Muhammad Jamalul Azam Sultan Magindanao who got married with a girl named Pangeran Siti Aishah Binti Pangeran Abdul Rauf which came from the Bajau ethnic group. His father was a traditional leader in Inanam and also a member of the Suluk community.
Mat Salleh had four siblings named Ali, Mat Salleh, Badin and lastly Bolong. Later, Mat Salleh got married with a Sulu princess named Dayang Bandang who was related with Sultan Sulu's family. Dayang Bandang's village was at Penggalaban, Paitan. Mat Salleh took over the duties of his father as the village chieftain in the Lingkabo district and Sugut River.
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