Rosli Dhobi - Early Life

Early Life

Rosli Dhobi was born in 1932 in Kampung Siong, Sibu, Kingdom of Sarawak. Little is known about his earlier life although friends regard Rosli as an approachable person despite his quietness. He had an eldest sister and a younger brother, Fatimah and Ainie.

Rosli started his career as a teacher and quit his job in 1947 in order to teach in Sibu People's School. Rosli was known to be a nationalist and a poet. Using the nickname Lidros, Rosli penned down a nationalistic poem titled 'Panggilan Mu yang Suchi' which was published in Utusan Sarawak on February 28, 1948. The usage of nickname was prevalent at the time since the British Colonial Authority vigorously monitored any attempts to spread words against them.

Rosli joined Rukun 13 in August, 1948. He was introduced to the organization by an old friend, Bujang Suntong.