 For his knowledge in Iban traditions and customs, Kanang was later made a Temenggong for the Iban community of Sri Aman division and last year he was conferred a Datukship by the state government.On 15 April 2009, he made headlines after rescuing a baby orangutan from captivity with his friend, Tay Choon Yong.The baby orangutan was being handed to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.