Wiki: Dato Maharaja Lela
Dato' Maharaja Lela Pandak Lam (meninggal dunia: 20 Januari 1877) ialah seorang pembesar kelapan Perak yang merupakan pejuang bangsa yang bertanggungjawab kepada sumpah dan janjinya tetapi dikecewakan oleh raja dan bangsanya sendiri.
Seorang keturunan Daeng Salili, Pandak Lam adalah anak Raja Bugis yang berasal dari Daerah Luwuk, Sulawesi. Semasa pemerintahan Sultan Muzaffar Shah III, beliau datang ke Perak dan dilantik sebagai mufti serta dianugerahkan gelaran "Dato' Maharaja Lela Tan Lela", dengan kuasa boleh memancung tanpa bertanya.
Pandak Lam
1. Pejuang bangsa
Pandak Lam kemudian merupakan pemimpin yang mengetuai perjuangan menentang British di Perak. Bersama-sama dengan pemimpin-pemimpin yang lain seperti Orang Kaya-kaya Seri Agar Diraja (lebih dikenali sebagai Dato' Sagor) dan Ngah Kandin, beliau merancang dan membuat pakatan untuk membunuh James Wheller Woodfird Birch (J.W.W. Birch), Residen British Perak. Keputusan itu diluluskan oleh mesyuarat Durian Sebatang yang dipengerusikan oleh Sultan Abdullah dan dihadiri oleh pembesar-pembesarnya pada 21 Julai 1875. Namun, beliau didapati bersalah terhadap pembunuhan J.W.W. Birch pada 2 November 1875 di Pasir Salak oleh mahkamah yang bersidang dari 14 Disember hingga 22 Disember 1876 di Matang, Perak. Beliau dijatuhi hukuman gantung sampai mati pada 20 Januari 1877 di Taiping.
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Perang Larut
Sejarah
Nama penuh dan gelaran kebesarannya ialah Orang Kaya Menteri Paduka Tuan Ngah Ibrahim bin Jaafar. Ngah Ibrahim merupakan anak kepada Long Jaafar yang dijadikan Orang Besar Jajahan dengan gelaran Orang Kaya Menteri. Gelaran ini diberikan oleh Sultan Abdullah Mohammad Shah. Long Jaafar juga diberikan kuasa untuk membangunkan daerah Larut. Setelah Long Jaafar meninggal dunia dalam tahun 1857, gelaran dan kuasanya diturunkan kepada Ngah Ibrahim. Ngah Ibrahim mempunyai 3 orang isteri. Isterinya yang pertama adalah anak kepada Laksamana Mohamad Amin.
Ngah Ibrahim membangunkan sebuah kota, yang kini dipanggil Kota Ngah Ibrahim di Matang yang menjadi pusat pentadbirannya. Ngah Ibrahim merupakan Orang Kaya Jajahan, dan mempunyai visi meluas untuk memajukan daerah Larut Matang. Dalam tahun 1872, Ngah Ibrahim telah menggajikan Kapten Tristam Speedy sebagai Setiausaha (Pentadbir) di dalam wilayahnya. Untuk mengerjakan lombong bijih, Ngah Ibrahim mendapatkan perkhidmatan Kapitan Cina yang membawa kuli dari Negeri China.
Disebabkan wilayah Larut menjadi Anugerah Sultan kepada Long Jaafar dan keturunannya, kekayaan Larut tidak dikongsi bersama dengan Kerajaan Perak. Ngah Ibrahim membina sebuah kota di Matang dipanggil Kota Ngah Ibrahim. Di dalam kota tersebut, Ngah Ibrahim membina sebuah rumah besar (kini menjadi bangunan Muzium Matang). Ngah Ibrahim mengadakan sistem pentadbiran moden di wilayah Larut dan mempunyai pasukan polisnya sendiri, dan mempunyai seorang hakim untuk mengadili kes-kes tuntutan, seorang majistret dan juga Bendahari untuk memungut cukai dan mentadbir kewangan wilayah.
Ketegangan juga berlaku kerana wujud kejadian-kejadian yang dicetuskan oleh imigran-imigran China yang semakin ramai. Ini menyukarkan Ngah Ibrahim untuk mengawal keadaan. Untuk mengatasi masalah ini, beliau menubuhkan Pasukan Polis yang dianggotai oleh 40 orang Melayu. Akan tetapi Pasukan Polis ini gagal mengawal kekacauan-kekacauan dan kegiatan kongsi gelap yang dicetuskan oleh orang Cina.
Ngah Ibrahim tahu ia perlu menguatkan pasukan polisnya. Pasukan polis yang diwujudkan oleh Kapten Tristam Speedy dalam tahun 1873 terdiri dari 110 orang anggota Sikh yang diambil dari wilayah Patiala, Ludhiana dan Ferozepur di Punjab, India untuk menjadi Sepoi. [2] Mereka dilengkapkan dengan senapang dan pistol, dan mempunyai 4 laras meriam Krupps.
[sunting] Perang Larut
[sunting] Perang Larut Pertama
Menjelang tahun 1861, persaingan di antara pelombong bijih dari kongsi Go-Kuan dan kongsi Si-Kuan panas membara dan meledak menjadi peperangan terbuka di antara kedua kongsi tersebut dalam bulan Julai 1861. Perang ini dipanggil Perang Larut. Pihak British melihat Perang Larut sebagai satu gangguan kepada bekalan bijih timah mereka.
Punca Perang adalah perbalahan mengenai kawalan ke atas saliran sungai ke lombong bijih. Sumber air penting untuk proses perlombongan bijih timah kerana kaedah perlombongan palong digunakan. Kerana tidak puas hati, kumpulan Ghee Hin di Klian Baru diserang oleh kumpulan Hai San di Klian Pauh.
Gangguan bekalan timah menyebabkan pedagang Cina di Pulau Pinang, yang membuat pelaburan besar di dalam industri perlombongan bijih, merasa rimas dan resah, kerana perniagaan mereka kini terjejas. Mereka membuat aduan kepada Gabenor Negeri-Negeri Selat untuk mengambil tindakan memulihkan keadaan. Tetapi oleh kerana perjanjian 1826 menetapkan supaya Perak ditadbir mengikut adat dan resam Kesultanan Perak, pihak British tidak dapat campur tangan melainkan meminta supaya keamanan dipulihkan agar bekalan bijih timah tidak terganggu.
Akhirnya, disebabkan tekanan daripada peniaga-peniaga di Pulau Pinang, Gabenor Negeri-Negeri Selat Kolonel Cavenagh masuk campur dan memaksa Ngah Ibrahim bertindak menenangkan keadaan. Ngah Ibrahim, bagi pihak Sultan Perak, terpaksa membayar $17,447 sebagai ganti rugi kepada kumpulan Ghee Hin
[sunting] Perang Larut Kedua
Walaupun terpaksa menerima damai, kumpulan pelombong masih tidak berpuas hati. Keadaan tegang bagaikan retak menunggu belah. Masalah yang paling kcil akan mencetuskan perbalahan besar. Dalam bulan Jun 1865, Perang Larut Kedua meletus, kali ini dicetuskan oleh perbalahan semasa berjudi oleh kumpulan ahli-ahli kongsi gelap.
Kumpulan Hai San menawan 14 orang ahli Kumpulan Ghee Hin sebagai tebusan, dan akhirnya membunuh 13 orang daripada mereka. Tebusan terakhir berjaya melepaskan diri dan memberitahu kejadian kepada kumpulannya. Kumpulan Ghee Hin membalas dendam dan menyerang perkampungan Hai San, dan membakar bangunan did alam kampung itu dan membunuh 40 orang penduduk. Sekali lagi, bekalan bijih terganggu. Perbalahan merebak sehingga ke Seberang Perai dan Pulau Pinang, dan kumpulan kongsi gelap selain Kumpulan Ghee Hin dan Kumpulan Hai San turut terlibat. Siasatan yang dijalankan pentadbir British mendapati kedua-dua Kumpulan Ghee Hin dan Kumpulan Hai San bersalah kerana mengganggu keamanan Pulau Pinang dan masing-masing dikenakan denda $5,000 dan beberapa pemimpin mereka di buang negeri.
[sunting] Perebutan kuasa
Dalam tahun 1871, Sultan Ali, paduka Sultan Perak mangkat dan mengakibatkan perebutan kuasa di kalangan 3 orang pembesar Melayu, iaitu Raja Yusof, Raja Ismail dan Raja Abdullah.
[sunting] Perang Larut Ketiga
Ngah Ibrahim bersungguh-sungguh mahu mengawal keadaan dan mengambil seorang pegawai Inggeris, Kapten Tristam Speedy untuk membantunya mentadbir Larut dengan aman supaya peniaga di Pulau Pinang tidak merungut dan pihak British tidak memberikan tekanan politik. Kapten Tristam Speedy sebelum itu adalah Penguasa (Superintendent) Polis di Pulau Pinang, dan mempunyai rekod cemerlang sebagai seorang pegawai tentera di India, Ceylon dan Afrika. Namun usaha Ngah Ibrahim tidak berhasil.
Perang Larut Ketiga tercetus akibat satu skandal melibatkan Lee Ah Khun, seorang pemimpin Ghee Hin dengan isteri kepada anak saudara Chung Keng Quee. Selepas perhubungan mereka diketahui, mereka ditangkap, diseksa dan dimasukkan dalam satu raga yang digunakan mengisi khinzir dan dihumban ke dalam sebuah lombong tinggal dan dibiarkan lemas.
Kumpulan Ghee Hin membalas dengan dengan membawa 4,000 orang pejuang profesional dari negeri China yang dibawa masuk melalui Pulau Pinang untuk menyerang kumpulan Hai San. Buat kali pertamanya, kumpulan Hai San tewas dan diusir keluar dari Klian Pauh, dan 10,000 pengikut Hai San mencari perlindungan di Pulau Pinang.
Ngah Ibrahim membantu Kumpulan Hai San dan akhirnya mendapat semula kawasan perlombongan mereka di Klian Pauh. Dalam masa itu, Raja Abdullah, salah seorang yang merebut jawatan Sultan menyebelahi Kumpulan Ghee Hin menentang Ngah Ibrahim. Perang Larut kini memecahbelahkan pembesar Melayu menjadi puak-puak yang bersengketa. Ini melemahkan kedudukan pembesar Melayu.
[sunting] Perang Larut Keempat
Perang Larut Keempat meletus dalam tahun 1873, kurang setahun selepas berakhirnya Perang Larut Ketiga. Selepas Kumpulan Hai San dengan bantuan Ngah Ibrahim menguasai semula kawasan lombong di Klian Pauh, Kumpulan Ghee Hin yang disokong oeh Raja Abdullah menyerang balas dengan pejuang dan senjata yang dibawa dari Singapura dan China.
Harta benda milik Ngah Ibrahim juga turut dimusnahkan dan penduduk Melayu dibunuh dan harta benda mereka dimusnahkan. Kekacauan merebak ke daerah [[Krian], Pangkor dan Dinding. Pembesar Melayu yang sebelum itu menyebelahi kumpulan Cina yang berbalah terperanjat melihat huru hara akibat perbalahan antara dua Kumpulan Cina tersebut. Kemusnahan yang dibawa oleh 40,000 orang Cina yang berbalah membawa padah besar kepada negeri Perak sehingga melibatkan keluarga diRaja Perak.
Peniaga di Pulau Pinang sekali lagi melihat pelaburan mereka hancur lebur akibat perbalahan dan sekali lagi meminta gabenor Negeri-Negeri Selat mengambil tindakan memulihkan keamanan di Perak agar perniagaan mereka tidak kerugian. Dalam pada itu, Raja Abdullah menyingkir Sultan Ismail daripada takhta Perak dan mentabalkan dirinya sebagai Sultan.
Raja Abdullah pada 30 Disember 1873 mengutuskan sepucuk surat kepada Gabenor Negeri-Negeri Selat meminta bantuan British untuk menghantar "seorang yang cukup berwibawa untuk membolehkan kewujudan satu sistem kerajaan yang baik di Negeri Perak". William Pickering dihantar ke Larut untuk merundingkan keamanan dengan kaum Cina yang berbalah dan untuk menerima penyelesaian dan timbang tara British. Sementara itu Frank Swettenham (yang fasih berbahasa Melayu dan boleh menulis Jawi) dihantar untuk memujuk pembesar-pembesar Melayu menghadiri perjumpaan di Pulau Pangkor.
Keadaan kian tidak terkawal, dan kekecohan membawa padah kepada pembesar Melayu, kaum Cina dan juga kepada pentadbir British di Negeri-Negeri Selat. Keperluan mengamankan semula negeri Perak kini memberikan sebab kepada British untuk masuk campur dalam pentadbiran negeri Perak. Pada 15 Januari 1874, pasukan tentera British tiba di Pulau Pangkor. Ini memberikan tekanan kepada pihak yang berbalah untuk menghadiri perjumpaan di Pulau Pangkor. Pada 20 Januari 1874, Perjanjian Pangkor ditandatangan oleh pihak-pihak yang berbalah di atas HMS Pluto, sebuah kapal meriam British.
[sunting] Perjanjian Pangkor
Sultan Abdullah dari Perak.Keadaan tidak menentu di Larut menyebabkan British campur tangan di Perak. Mereka mengambil kesempatan menggunakan perpecahan orang-orang Melayu disebabkan oleh perebutan kuasa di antara Tengku Abdullah dan Tengku Ismail untuk menjadi Sultan untuk campur tangan di dalam pentadbiran negeri Perak. Tengku Ismail tidak hadir semasa perundingan di Pangkor.
[sunting] Tujuan British mengadakan Perjanjian Pangkor
Perjanjian Pangkor bertujuan menetapkan beberapa penyelesaian kepada perbalahan-perbalahan yang menjejas keamanan negeri Perak.
Persetujuan Kumpulan-Kumpulan Cina untuk berhenti berbalah
Memutuskan pelantikan Sultan Perak
Mengesahkan kuasa Ngah Ibrahim sebagai Orang Kaya Menteri Paduka Tuan di Larut Matang dengan dibantu oleh seorang penasihat
Penerimaan seorang Residen untuk mentadbir negeri Perak di dalam semua perkara kecuali perkara-perkara berkaitan dengan adat resam Melayu dan agama Islam.
[sunting] Pemberhentian perbalahan puak Cina
Perjanjian Pangkor membolehkan pihak British dan pihak-pihak Cina yang berbalah bersetuju dengan Urusan Pangkor (Pangkor Engagement). Persetujuan ini dicapai oleh 26 orang pemimpin Kongsi Gelap Cina. Persetujuan ini Chung Keng Quee menandatangani Urusan Pangkor untuk kumpulan Hai San sementara Chin Ah Yam menandatangani bagi pihak Ghee Hin. Chung Keng Quee dan Chin Ah Yam dinobatkan menjadi Kapitan Cina oleh pihak British. Mana-mana pihak Cina yang melanggar persetujuan berdamai akan dikenakan denda $50,000.
[sunting] Perlantikan Sultan Perak
Raja Abdullah ditabalkan oleh Pihak British sebagai Sultan di negeri Perak. Raja Ismail yang digulingkan oleh Sultan Abdullah diberikan gelaran sebagai Raja Muda dan diberikan pencen (gaji) bulanan sebanyak $1,000 dan juga diberikan satu jajahan kecil sebagai warisan adat beliau dan keturunan beliau.
[sunting] Pengesahan kuasa Ngah Ibrahim
Perjanjian Pangkor 1874 mengiktiraf Orang Kaya Menteri Paduka Tuan Ngah Ibrahim sebagai orang berkuasa di jajahan Larut Matang. Ngah Ibrahim diiktriaf oleh pihak British sebagai Orang Kaya Menteri Paduka Tuan di Larut, tetapi tidak mempunyai kebebasan dan kuasa mutlak seperti mana yang diberikan kepadanya sebelum itu. Sebaliknya, beliau akan dibantu oleh seorang wakil British diberikan jawatan Penolong Residen untuk mentadbir jajahan Larut. Ngah Ibrahim dan lain-lain pembesar Melayu juga kehilangan hak untuk memungut cukai.
Kapten Tristam Speedy dilantik menjadi Penolong Residen untuk mempastikan keselamatan Larut Matang supaya bekalan bijih timah tidak lagi terganggu.
[sunting] Pembahagian kawasan perlombongan
Perjanjian Pangkor juga juga membahagikan kawasan perlombongan bijih di antara pihak Ghee Hin dan Hai San. Kawasan Klian Pauh di berikan kepada kongsi Hai San. Klian Pauh kemudiannya diberikan nama Taiping yang memberi makna “Keamanan Berkekalan”. Kawasan perlombongan Klian Baru diberikan kepada kongsi Ghee Hin, yang kemudiannya memanggil kawasan tersebut sebagai Kamunting. Kongsi Ghee Hin kurang berpuas hati kerana mahukan kawasan perlombongan Klian Pauh kerana lebih mempunyai deposit bijih.
[sunting] Penerimaan pentadbiran British
Ngah Ibrahim kini terpaksa menerima kuasa Pentadbiran British dengan persetujuan penerimaan seorang Residen untuk negeri Perak. Untuk jajahan Larut, Ngah Ibrahim terpaksa menerima pelantikan Kapten Tristam Speedy sebagai Penolong Residen. Pada mulanya,. Ngah Ibrahim tidak begitu gusar kerana Kapten Tristam Speedy adalah pekerjanya dan semestinya taat kepadanya.
[sunting] Penentangan pentadbiran British
Untuk mendapatkan hasil bagi mentadbir negeri Perak, Birch mengenakan cukai ke atas perlombongan dan perniagaan bijih di Larut. Antara lain, kuasa Ngah Ibrahim memungut hasil dan cukai di Larut disekat. Sebaliknya, pungutan cukai dibuat oleh Residen British.
Ini menimbulkan marah Ngah Ibrahim kerana beliau beranggapan Ia perlanggaran apa yang dipersetujui di Pangkor di mana dia berkuasa ke atas jajahan Larut seperti sebelum campur tangan British. Tetapi Kapten Speedy lebih taat kepada pihak British dan menguatkuasakan apa yang diperintahkan oleh Residen, termasuk pungutan cukai. Ngah Ibrahim terpaksa akur dengan pengutipan cukai ini kerana Kapten Speedy juga berkuasa ke atas polis bersenjata (yang asalnya diwujudkan oleh Ngah Ibrahim, tetapi digantikan oleh Kapten Speedy dengan polis Sepoi dari Punjab yang hanya taat kepada Kapten Speedy dan bukannya kepada Ngah Ibrahim).
Perasaan marah Ngah Ibrahim ke atas pengenaan cukai oleh Residen British mendorong beliau memberikan sokongan kepada kumpulan pembesar Melayu yang hendak menentang pentadbiran British di Perak. Ngah Ibrahim disokong oleh Laksamana Mohamad Amin, bapa mentuanya. Pengikisan kuasa ini dilihat sebagai penghapusan martabat pembesar (dan Sultan) Melayu di tanah air mereka sendiri.
[sunting] Hukuman buang negeri
Selepas satu perbicaraan yang diadakan di Kota Ngah Ibrahim (kini menjadi Markas dan kediaman Kapten Tristam Speedy) Datuk Maharajalela dikenakan hukuman gantung. Oleh kerana tiada bukti kukuh yang boleh menambat Ngah Ibrahim kepada pembunuhan Birch, Ngah Ibrahim, bersama bapa mentuanya Laksamana Mohamad Amin dikenakan hukuman buang negeri ke Kepulauan Seychelles bersama-sama Sultan Abdullah. Pada tahun 1877, Ngah Ibrahim dihantar ke Kepulauan Seychelles untuk menjalani hukuman buang negeri.
[sunting] Kontroversi
Pada 3 September 2006, seorang lelaki bernama Yacob Ngah Ibrahim yang mengaku anak bongsu Ngah Ibrahim mendakwa Ngah Ibrahim mati kerana sakit tua pada tahun 1936 dan dikebumikan di Kampung Dendang, dekat Beruas dan bukannya di Singapura. Dia dikatakan dilarikan ke Johor oleh Panglima Sameon yang akhirnya membawa nya pulang ke Kampung Tepus, Tanjung Belanja, Parit. Ngah Ibrahim kemudian berpindah ke Kampung Dendang, Beruas. [1]
Nama penuh dan gelaran kebesarannya ialah Orang Kaya Menteri Paduka Tuan Ngah Ibrahim bin Jaafar. Ngah Ibrahim merupakan anak kepada Long Jaafar yang dijadikan Orang Besar Jajahan dengan gelaran Orang Kaya Menteri. Gelaran ini diberikan oleh Sultan Abdullah Mohammad Shah. Long Jaafar juga diberikan kuasa untuk membangunkan daerah Larut. Setelah Long Jaafar meninggal dunia dalam tahun 1857, gelaran dan kuasanya diturunkan kepada Ngah Ibrahim. Ngah Ibrahim mempunyai 3 orang isteri. Isterinya yang pertama adalah anak kepada Laksamana Mohamad Amin.
Ngah Ibrahim membangunkan sebuah kota, yang kini dipanggil Kota Ngah Ibrahim di Matang yang menjadi pusat pentadbirannya. Ngah Ibrahim merupakan Orang Kaya Jajahan, dan mempunyai visi meluas untuk memajukan daerah Larut Matang. Dalam tahun 1872, Ngah Ibrahim telah menggajikan Kapten Tristam Speedy sebagai Setiausaha (Pentadbir) di dalam wilayahnya. Untuk mengerjakan lombong bijih, Ngah Ibrahim mendapatkan perkhidmatan Kapitan Cina yang membawa kuli dari Negeri China.
Disebabkan wilayah Larut menjadi Anugerah Sultan kepada Long Jaafar dan keturunannya, kekayaan Larut tidak dikongsi bersama dengan Kerajaan Perak. Ngah Ibrahim membina sebuah kota di Matang dipanggil Kota Ngah Ibrahim. Di dalam kota tersebut, Ngah Ibrahim membina sebuah rumah besar (kini menjadi bangunan Muzium Matang). Ngah Ibrahim mengadakan sistem pentadbiran moden di wilayah Larut dan mempunyai pasukan polisnya sendiri, dan mempunyai seorang hakim untuk mengadili kes-kes tuntutan, seorang majistret dan juga Bendahari untuk memungut cukai dan mentadbir kewangan wilayah.
Ketegangan juga berlaku kerana wujud kejadian-kejadian yang dicetuskan oleh imigran-imigran China yang semakin ramai. Ini menyukarkan Ngah Ibrahim untuk mengawal keadaan. Untuk mengatasi masalah ini, beliau menubuhkan Pasukan Polis yang dianggotai oleh 40 orang Melayu. Akan tetapi Pasukan Polis ini gagal mengawal kekacauan-kekacauan dan kegiatan kongsi gelap yang dicetuskan oleh orang Cina.
Ngah Ibrahim tahu ia perlu menguatkan pasukan polisnya. Pasukan polis yang diwujudkan oleh Kapten Tristam Speedy dalam tahun 1873 terdiri dari 110 orang anggota Sikh yang diambil dari wilayah Patiala, Ludhiana dan Ferozepur di Punjab, India untuk menjadi Sepoi. [2] Mereka dilengkapkan dengan senapang dan pistol, dan mempunyai 4 laras meriam Krupps.
[sunting] Perang Larut
[sunting] Perang Larut Pertama
Menjelang tahun 1861, persaingan di antara pelombong bijih dari kongsi Go-Kuan dan kongsi Si-Kuan panas membara dan meledak menjadi peperangan terbuka di antara kedua kongsi tersebut dalam bulan Julai 1861. Perang ini dipanggil Perang Larut. Pihak British melihat Perang Larut sebagai satu gangguan kepada bekalan bijih timah mereka.
Punca Perang adalah perbalahan mengenai kawalan ke atas saliran sungai ke lombong bijih. Sumber air penting untuk proses perlombongan bijih timah kerana kaedah perlombongan palong digunakan. Kerana tidak puas hati, kumpulan Ghee Hin di Klian Baru diserang oleh kumpulan Hai San di Klian Pauh.
Gangguan bekalan timah menyebabkan pedagang Cina di Pulau Pinang, yang membuat pelaburan besar di dalam industri perlombongan bijih, merasa rimas dan resah, kerana perniagaan mereka kini terjejas. Mereka membuat aduan kepada Gabenor Negeri-Negeri Selat untuk mengambil tindakan memulihkan keadaan. Tetapi oleh kerana perjanjian 1826 menetapkan supaya Perak ditadbir mengikut adat dan resam Kesultanan Perak, pihak British tidak dapat campur tangan melainkan meminta supaya keamanan dipulihkan agar bekalan bijih timah tidak terganggu.
Akhirnya, disebabkan tekanan daripada peniaga-peniaga di Pulau Pinang, Gabenor Negeri-Negeri Selat Kolonel Cavenagh masuk campur dan memaksa Ngah Ibrahim bertindak menenangkan keadaan. Ngah Ibrahim, bagi pihak Sultan Perak, terpaksa membayar $17,447 sebagai ganti rugi kepada kumpulan Ghee Hin
[sunting] Perang Larut Kedua
Walaupun terpaksa menerima damai, kumpulan pelombong masih tidak berpuas hati. Keadaan tegang bagaikan retak menunggu belah. Masalah yang paling kcil akan mencetuskan perbalahan besar. Dalam bulan Jun 1865, Perang Larut Kedua meletus, kali ini dicetuskan oleh perbalahan semasa berjudi oleh kumpulan ahli-ahli kongsi gelap.
Kumpulan Hai San menawan 14 orang ahli Kumpulan Ghee Hin sebagai tebusan, dan akhirnya membunuh 13 orang daripada mereka. Tebusan terakhir berjaya melepaskan diri dan memberitahu kejadian kepada kumpulannya. Kumpulan Ghee Hin membalas dendam dan menyerang perkampungan Hai San, dan membakar bangunan did alam kampung itu dan membunuh 40 orang penduduk. Sekali lagi, bekalan bijih terganggu. Perbalahan merebak sehingga ke Seberang Perai dan Pulau Pinang, dan kumpulan kongsi gelap selain Kumpulan Ghee Hin dan Kumpulan Hai San turut terlibat. Siasatan yang dijalankan pentadbir British mendapati kedua-dua Kumpulan Ghee Hin dan Kumpulan Hai San bersalah kerana mengganggu keamanan Pulau Pinang dan masing-masing dikenakan denda $5,000 dan beberapa pemimpin mereka di buang negeri.
[sunting] Perebutan kuasa
Dalam tahun 1871, Sultan Ali, paduka Sultan Perak mangkat dan mengakibatkan perebutan kuasa di kalangan 3 orang pembesar Melayu, iaitu Raja Yusof, Raja Ismail dan Raja Abdullah.
[sunting] Perang Larut Ketiga
Ngah Ibrahim bersungguh-sungguh mahu mengawal keadaan dan mengambil seorang pegawai Inggeris, Kapten Tristam Speedy untuk membantunya mentadbir Larut dengan aman supaya peniaga di Pulau Pinang tidak merungut dan pihak British tidak memberikan tekanan politik. Kapten Tristam Speedy sebelum itu adalah Penguasa (Superintendent) Polis di Pulau Pinang, dan mempunyai rekod cemerlang sebagai seorang pegawai tentera di India, Ceylon dan Afrika. Namun usaha Ngah Ibrahim tidak berhasil.
Perang Larut Ketiga tercetus akibat satu skandal melibatkan Lee Ah Khun, seorang pemimpin Ghee Hin dengan isteri kepada anak saudara Chung Keng Quee. Selepas perhubungan mereka diketahui, mereka ditangkap, diseksa dan dimasukkan dalam satu raga yang digunakan mengisi khinzir dan dihumban ke dalam sebuah lombong tinggal dan dibiarkan lemas.
Kumpulan Ghee Hin membalas dengan dengan membawa 4,000 orang pejuang profesional dari negeri China yang dibawa masuk melalui Pulau Pinang untuk menyerang kumpulan Hai San. Buat kali pertamanya, kumpulan Hai San tewas dan diusir keluar dari Klian Pauh, dan 10,000 pengikut Hai San mencari perlindungan di Pulau Pinang.
Ngah Ibrahim membantu Kumpulan Hai San dan akhirnya mendapat semula kawasan perlombongan mereka di Klian Pauh. Dalam masa itu, Raja Abdullah, salah seorang yang merebut jawatan Sultan menyebelahi Kumpulan Ghee Hin menentang Ngah Ibrahim. Perang Larut kini memecahbelahkan pembesar Melayu menjadi puak-puak yang bersengketa. Ini melemahkan kedudukan pembesar Melayu.
[sunting] Perang Larut Keempat
Perang Larut Keempat meletus dalam tahun 1873, kurang setahun selepas berakhirnya Perang Larut Ketiga. Selepas Kumpulan Hai San dengan bantuan Ngah Ibrahim menguasai semula kawasan lombong di Klian Pauh, Kumpulan Ghee Hin yang disokong oeh Raja Abdullah menyerang balas dengan pejuang dan senjata yang dibawa dari Singapura dan China.
Harta benda milik Ngah Ibrahim juga turut dimusnahkan dan penduduk Melayu dibunuh dan harta benda mereka dimusnahkan. Kekacauan merebak ke daerah [[Krian], Pangkor dan Dinding. Pembesar Melayu yang sebelum itu menyebelahi kumpulan Cina yang berbalah terperanjat melihat huru hara akibat perbalahan antara dua Kumpulan Cina tersebut. Kemusnahan yang dibawa oleh 40,000 orang Cina yang berbalah membawa padah besar kepada negeri Perak sehingga melibatkan keluarga diRaja Perak.
Peniaga di Pulau Pinang sekali lagi melihat pelaburan mereka hancur lebur akibat perbalahan dan sekali lagi meminta gabenor Negeri-Negeri Selat mengambil tindakan memulihkan keamanan di Perak agar perniagaan mereka tidak kerugian. Dalam pada itu, Raja Abdullah menyingkir Sultan Ismail daripada takhta Perak dan mentabalkan dirinya sebagai Sultan.
Raja Abdullah pada 30 Disember 1873 mengutuskan sepucuk surat kepada Gabenor Negeri-Negeri Selat meminta bantuan British untuk menghantar "seorang yang cukup berwibawa untuk membolehkan kewujudan satu sistem kerajaan yang baik di Negeri Perak". William Pickering dihantar ke Larut untuk merundingkan keamanan dengan kaum Cina yang berbalah dan untuk menerima penyelesaian dan timbang tara British. Sementara itu Frank Swettenham (yang fasih berbahasa Melayu dan boleh menulis Jawi) dihantar untuk memujuk pembesar-pembesar Melayu menghadiri perjumpaan di Pulau Pangkor.
Keadaan kian tidak terkawal, dan kekecohan membawa padah kepada pembesar Melayu, kaum Cina dan juga kepada pentadbir British di Negeri-Negeri Selat. Keperluan mengamankan semula negeri Perak kini memberikan sebab kepada British untuk masuk campur dalam pentadbiran negeri Perak. Pada 15 Januari 1874, pasukan tentera British tiba di Pulau Pangkor. Ini memberikan tekanan kepada pihak yang berbalah untuk menghadiri perjumpaan di Pulau Pangkor. Pada 20 Januari 1874, Perjanjian Pangkor ditandatangan oleh pihak-pihak yang berbalah di atas HMS Pluto, sebuah kapal meriam British.
[sunting] Perjanjian Pangkor
Sultan Abdullah dari Perak.Keadaan tidak menentu di Larut menyebabkan British campur tangan di Perak. Mereka mengambil kesempatan menggunakan perpecahan orang-orang Melayu disebabkan oleh perebutan kuasa di antara Tengku Abdullah dan Tengku Ismail untuk menjadi Sultan untuk campur tangan di dalam pentadbiran negeri Perak. Tengku Ismail tidak hadir semasa perundingan di Pangkor.
[sunting] Tujuan British mengadakan Perjanjian Pangkor
Perjanjian Pangkor bertujuan menetapkan beberapa penyelesaian kepada perbalahan-perbalahan yang menjejas keamanan negeri Perak.
Persetujuan Kumpulan-Kumpulan Cina untuk berhenti berbalah
Memutuskan pelantikan Sultan Perak
Mengesahkan kuasa Ngah Ibrahim sebagai Orang Kaya Menteri Paduka Tuan di Larut Matang dengan dibantu oleh seorang penasihat
Penerimaan seorang Residen untuk mentadbir negeri Perak di dalam semua perkara kecuali perkara-perkara berkaitan dengan adat resam Melayu dan agama Islam.
[sunting] Pemberhentian perbalahan puak Cina
Perjanjian Pangkor membolehkan pihak British dan pihak-pihak Cina yang berbalah bersetuju dengan Urusan Pangkor (Pangkor Engagement). Persetujuan ini dicapai oleh 26 orang pemimpin Kongsi Gelap Cina. Persetujuan ini Chung Keng Quee menandatangani Urusan Pangkor untuk kumpulan Hai San sementara Chin Ah Yam menandatangani bagi pihak Ghee Hin. Chung Keng Quee dan Chin Ah Yam dinobatkan menjadi Kapitan Cina oleh pihak British. Mana-mana pihak Cina yang melanggar persetujuan berdamai akan dikenakan denda $50,000.
[sunting] Perlantikan Sultan Perak
Raja Abdullah ditabalkan oleh Pihak British sebagai Sultan di negeri Perak. Raja Ismail yang digulingkan oleh Sultan Abdullah diberikan gelaran sebagai Raja Muda dan diberikan pencen (gaji) bulanan sebanyak $1,000 dan juga diberikan satu jajahan kecil sebagai warisan adat beliau dan keturunan beliau.
[sunting] Pengesahan kuasa Ngah Ibrahim
Perjanjian Pangkor 1874 mengiktiraf Orang Kaya Menteri Paduka Tuan Ngah Ibrahim sebagai orang berkuasa di jajahan Larut Matang. Ngah Ibrahim diiktriaf oleh pihak British sebagai Orang Kaya Menteri Paduka Tuan di Larut, tetapi tidak mempunyai kebebasan dan kuasa mutlak seperti mana yang diberikan kepadanya sebelum itu. Sebaliknya, beliau akan dibantu oleh seorang wakil British diberikan jawatan Penolong Residen untuk mentadbir jajahan Larut. Ngah Ibrahim dan lain-lain pembesar Melayu juga kehilangan hak untuk memungut cukai.
Kapten Tristam Speedy dilantik menjadi Penolong Residen untuk mempastikan keselamatan Larut Matang supaya bekalan bijih timah tidak lagi terganggu.
[sunting] Pembahagian kawasan perlombongan
Perjanjian Pangkor juga juga membahagikan kawasan perlombongan bijih di antara pihak Ghee Hin dan Hai San. Kawasan Klian Pauh di berikan kepada kongsi Hai San. Klian Pauh kemudiannya diberikan nama Taiping yang memberi makna “Keamanan Berkekalan”. Kawasan perlombongan Klian Baru diberikan kepada kongsi Ghee Hin, yang kemudiannya memanggil kawasan tersebut sebagai Kamunting. Kongsi Ghee Hin kurang berpuas hati kerana mahukan kawasan perlombongan Klian Pauh kerana lebih mempunyai deposit bijih.
[sunting] Penerimaan pentadbiran British
Ngah Ibrahim kini terpaksa menerima kuasa Pentadbiran British dengan persetujuan penerimaan seorang Residen untuk negeri Perak. Untuk jajahan Larut, Ngah Ibrahim terpaksa menerima pelantikan Kapten Tristam Speedy sebagai Penolong Residen. Pada mulanya,. Ngah Ibrahim tidak begitu gusar kerana Kapten Tristam Speedy adalah pekerjanya dan semestinya taat kepadanya.
[sunting] Penentangan pentadbiran British
Untuk mendapatkan hasil bagi mentadbir negeri Perak, Birch mengenakan cukai ke atas perlombongan dan perniagaan bijih di Larut. Antara lain, kuasa Ngah Ibrahim memungut hasil dan cukai di Larut disekat. Sebaliknya, pungutan cukai dibuat oleh Residen British.
Ini menimbulkan marah Ngah Ibrahim kerana beliau beranggapan Ia perlanggaran apa yang dipersetujui di Pangkor di mana dia berkuasa ke atas jajahan Larut seperti sebelum campur tangan British. Tetapi Kapten Speedy lebih taat kepada pihak British dan menguatkuasakan apa yang diperintahkan oleh Residen, termasuk pungutan cukai. Ngah Ibrahim terpaksa akur dengan pengutipan cukai ini kerana Kapten Speedy juga berkuasa ke atas polis bersenjata (yang asalnya diwujudkan oleh Ngah Ibrahim, tetapi digantikan oleh Kapten Speedy dengan polis Sepoi dari Punjab yang hanya taat kepada Kapten Speedy dan bukannya kepada Ngah Ibrahim).
Perasaan marah Ngah Ibrahim ke atas pengenaan cukai oleh Residen British mendorong beliau memberikan sokongan kepada kumpulan pembesar Melayu yang hendak menentang pentadbiran British di Perak. Ngah Ibrahim disokong oleh Laksamana Mohamad Amin, bapa mentuanya. Pengikisan kuasa ini dilihat sebagai penghapusan martabat pembesar (dan Sultan) Melayu di tanah air mereka sendiri.
[sunting] Hukuman buang negeri
Selepas satu perbicaraan yang diadakan di Kota Ngah Ibrahim (kini menjadi Markas dan kediaman Kapten Tristam Speedy) Datuk Maharajalela dikenakan hukuman gantung. Oleh kerana tiada bukti kukuh yang boleh menambat Ngah Ibrahim kepada pembunuhan Birch, Ngah Ibrahim, bersama bapa mentuanya Laksamana Mohamad Amin dikenakan hukuman buang negeri ke Kepulauan Seychelles bersama-sama Sultan Abdullah. Pada tahun 1877, Ngah Ibrahim dihantar ke Kepulauan Seychelles untuk menjalani hukuman buang negeri.
[sunting] Kontroversi
Pada 3 September 2006, seorang lelaki bernama Yacob Ngah Ibrahim yang mengaku anak bongsu Ngah Ibrahim mendakwa Ngah Ibrahim mati kerana sakit tua pada tahun 1936 dan dikebumikan di Kampung Dendang, dekat Beruas dan bukannya di Singapura. Dia dikatakan dilarikan ke Johor oleh Panglima Sameon yang akhirnya membawa nya pulang ke Kampung Tepus, Tanjung Belanja, Parit. Ngah Ibrahim kemudian berpindah ke Kampung Dendang, Beruas. [1]
Pangkor Treaty of 1874
Pangkor Treaty of 1874
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Prehistoric Malaysia
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Gangga Negara (2nd–11th)
Langkasuka (2nd–14th)
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Kedah Kingdom (630-1136)
The rise of Muslim states
Kedah Sultanate (1136–present)
Malacca Sultanate (1402–1511)
Sulu Sultanate (1450–1899)
Johor Sultanate (1528–present)
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Dutch Malacca (1641-1824)
Straits Settlements (1826–1946)
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Kingdom of Sarawak (1841–1946)
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v • d • e
The Pangkor Treaty of 1874 was a treaty signed between the British and the Sultan of Perak. Signed on January 20, 1874, on the island of Pangkor off Perak, the treaty is significant in the history of the Malay states as it legitimized British control of the Malay rulers and paved the way for British imperialism in Malaya.
Contents [hide]
1 Precedence
2 Agreement
2.1 Terms and conditions
3 Result
Precedence
Sultan Abdullah of PerakPerak was a major tin producer throughout the nineteenth century, leading the United Kingdom, which had already colonized Penang, Malacca and Singapore, to consider Perak of significant importance. However, local strife, collectively known as the Larut War, between the local Malay elites and frequent clashes between Chinese secret societies disrupted the supply of tin from the mines of Perak.
In 1871, Sultan Ali of Perak died. Raja Abdullah, as Raja Muda or heir apparent, should have succeeded to the throne, but because he had not been present at the burial of the late Sultan Ali, Raja Bendahara Raja Ismail was proclaimed Sultan of Perak instead. At around the same time, two Chinese secret societies, known as Ghee Hin led by Chin Ah Yam and Hai San led by Chung Keng Quee, constantly waged battle against each other for control of the tin mines.
Agreement
Raja Abdullah later asked the British for help in solving these two problems. In her book "The Golden Chersonese and The Way Thither" (Published 1892 G.P. Putnam's Sons) Victorian traveller and adventuress, Isabella Lucy Bird (1831-1904), describes how Raja Muda Abdullah as he then was turned to his friend in Singapore, Tan Kim Ching. Tan, together with an English merchant in Singapore drafted a letter to Governor Sir Andrew Clarke which Abdullah signed. The letter expressed Abdullah's desire to place Perak under British protection, and "to have a man of sufficient abilities to show (him) a good system of government." On the 26th of September, 1872 Chung Keng Quee had already presented a petition, signed by himself and 44 other Chinese leaders, seeking British interference following the attack of 12,000 men of Chung Shan by 2,000 men of Sen Ning. (The Petition.) The British immediately saw this as a great opportunity to expand its influence in Southeast Asia and strengthened its monopoly on tin. As a result, the Pangkor Treaty of 1874 was signed.
Terms and conditions
The agreement dictated:
Raja Abdullah was acknowledged as the legitimate Sultan to replace Sultan Ismail who would be given a title and a pension of 1000 Mexican pesos a month.
The Sultan would receive a British Resident whose advice had to be sought and adhered to in all matters except those pertaining to the religion and customs of the Malays.
All collections and control of taxes as well as the administration of the state would be done in the name of the Sultan, but the Sultan was to govern according to the advice and consent of the Resident.
The Minister of Larut would continue to be in control but would no longer be recognized as a liberated leader. Instead, a British officer, who would have vast authority in administering the district, would be appointed in Larut.
The Sultan, and not the British government, would pay the salary of the Resident.
Perak ceded Dinding and Pangkor Island to the United Kingdom.
Result
Raja Ismail did not attend the meeting arranged between Sir Andrew Clarke and Raja Abdullah. Raja Ismail obviously did not recognize the agreement but had no choice as he was faced with the alliance between Raja Abdullah and the British. As a result, Raja Abdullah was made Sultan, and Sir James W.W. Birch was appointed as Perak's first British Resident after the treaty came into force.
Following this precedent, the British actively became involved in three other Malay states: Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Pahang. These states, along with Perak, were later reorganized into the Federated Malay States.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
History of Malaysia
This article is part of a series
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prehistoric Malaysia
Early kingdoms
Gangga Negara (2nd–11th)
Langkasuka (2nd–14th)
Pan Pan (3rd–5th)
Srivijaya (7th–13th)
Kedah Kingdom (630-1136)
The rise of Muslim states
Kedah Sultanate (1136–present)
Malacca Sultanate (1402–1511)
Sulu Sultanate (1450–1899)
Johor Sultanate (1528–present)
European colonialism
Portuguese Malacca (1511-1641)
Dutch Malacca (1641-1824)
Straits Settlements (1826–1946)
British Malaya (1874–1946)
Federated Malay States (1895–1946)
Unfederated Malay States (1909–1946)
Kingdom of Sarawak (1841–1946)
North Borneo (1882–1963)
World War II
Japanese occupation (1941–1945)
Malaysia in transition
Malayan Union (1946–1948)
Federation of Malaya (1948–1963)
Independence (1957)
Federation of Malaysia (1963–present)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malaysia Portal
v • d • e
The Pangkor Treaty of 1874 was a treaty signed between the British and the Sultan of Perak. Signed on January 20, 1874, on the island of Pangkor off Perak, the treaty is significant in the history of the Malay states as it legitimized British control of the Malay rulers and paved the way for British imperialism in Malaya.
Contents [hide]
1 Precedence
2 Agreement
2.1 Terms and conditions
3 Result
Precedence
Sultan Abdullah of PerakPerak was a major tin producer throughout the nineteenth century, leading the United Kingdom, which had already colonized Penang, Malacca and Singapore, to consider Perak of significant importance. However, local strife, collectively known as the Larut War, between the local Malay elites and frequent clashes between Chinese secret societies disrupted the supply of tin from the mines of Perak.
In 1871, Sultan Ali of Perak died. Raja Abdullah, as Raja Muda or heir apparent, should have succeeded to the throne, but because he had not been present at the burial of the late Sultan Ali, Raja Bendahara Raja Ismail was proclaimed Sultan of Perak instead. At around the same time, two Chinese secret societies, known as Ghee Hin led by Chin Ah Yam and Hai San led by Chung Keng Quee, constantly waged battle against each other for control of the tin mines.
Agreement
Raja Abdullah later asked the British for help in solving these two problems. In her book "The Golden Chersonese and The Way Thither" (Published 1892 G.P. Putnam's Sons) Victorian traveller and adventuress, Isabella Lucy Bird (1831-1904), describes how Raja Muda Abdullah as he then was turned to his friend in Singapore, Tan Kim Ching. Tan, together with an English merchant in Singapore drafted a letter to Governor Sir Andrew Clarke which Abdullah signed. The letter expressed Abdullah's desire to place Perak under British protection, and "to have a man of sufficient abilities to show (him) a good system of government." On the 26th of September, 1872 Chung Keng Quee had already presented a petition, signed by himself and 44 other Chinese leaders, seeking British interference following the attack of 12,000 men of Chung Shan by 2,000 men of Sen Ning. (The Petition.) The British immediately saw this as a great opportunity to expand its influence in Southeast Asia and strengthened its monopoly on tin. As a result, the Pangkor Treaty of 1874 was signed.
Terms and conditions
The agreement dictated:
Raja Abdullah was acknowledged as the legitimate Sultan to replace Sultan Ismail who would be given a title and a pension of 1000 Mexican pesos a month.
The Sultan would receive a British Resident whose advice had to be sought and adhered to in all matters except those pertaining to the religion and customs of the Malays.
All collections and control of taxes as well as the administration of the state would be done in the name of the Sultan, but the Sultan was to govern according to the advice and consent of the Resident.
The Minister of Larut would continue to be in control but would no longer be recognized as a liberated leader. Instead, a British officer, who would have vast authority in administering the district, would be appointed in Larut.
The Sultan, and not the British government, would pay the salary of the Resident.
Perak ceded Dinding and Pangkor Island to the United Kingdom.
Result
Raja Ismail did not attend the meeting arranged between Sir Andrew Clarke and Raja Abdullah. Raja Ismail obviously did not recognize the agreement but had no choice as he was faced with the alliance between Raja Abdullah and the British. As a result, Raja Abdullah was made Sultan, and Sir James W.W. Birch was appointed as Perak's first British Resident after the treaty came into force.
Following this precedent, the British actively became involved in three other Malay states: Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Pahang. These states, along with Perak, were later reorganized into the Federated Malay States.
James W. W. Birch
James W. W. Birch
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(Redirected from James W.W. Birch)
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James Wheeler Woodford Birch
James Wheeler Woodford Birch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st British Resident of Perak
In office
4 November 1874 – 2 November 1875
Preceded by None
Succeeded by Frank A. Swettenham
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Born April 3, 1826(1826-04-03)
South England, United Kingdom
Died November 2, 1875 (aged 49)
Pasir Salak, British Malaya
Religion Christian
James Wheeler Woodford Birch, commonly known as J. W. W. Birch (3 April 1826 - 2 November 1875) was the first British Resident in Perak, Malaysia. He was appointed to the post on 4 November 1874 as the government adviser to the Sultan of Perak following the signing of the famous Pangkor Treaty on 20 January 1874, which established Perak as a British protectorate state.
Contents
1 Assassination
2 Memorial
3 Sources and references
4 See also
Assassination
Birch was killed on 2 November 1875 by a local Malay chief, Dato Maharajalela and his assistant Sepuntum, who speared him to death while he was taking his bath, nearby a river, in Pasir Salak, near today's Teluk Intan (Teluk Anson).
There is inconsistency as to the reason why Birch was assassinated. One view is that Birch's assassination was because he outlawed slavery in Perak. Dato Maharajalela, whose income depended on capturing and selling the indigenes of Perak or Orang Asli as slaves, was then incensed and plotted with some of the slave-traders to kill Birch by spearing him when he was taking his bath in the river.
The more popular view among local historians indicate that Birch was assassinated because of his disrespect to the local custom and tradition, and conflict with local Malay chiefs. He was known to be arrogant and disrespectful of even the Sultan of Perak. Some history books noted how he was despised by the Sultan. Dato' Maharajalela is generally celebrated as a folk hero among Malaysians, due to his substantial contribution.
In the aftermath of the event, the administration shifted to Taiping. Sultan Abdullah was deposed and sent to exile in Seychelles. Dato Maharajalela and others involved in the incident were hanged.
Memorial
Birch's grave is located near the site of British fort at Kampung Pasir Pulai, about 24 km from Pasir Salak. Roads in Kuala Lumpur and Taiping were thought to have been named after him (Birch Road), but this was for a different Birch; ironically, the same road was later renamed after Dato Maharajalela (Maharajalela Road; Malay: Jalan Maharajalela) after Malaysia's independence in 1957. Similarly Birch Road also appeared in several towns in Malaysia, they were Seremban, Penang and Ipoh, also found in Singapore.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from James W.W. Birch)
Jump to: navigation, search
James Wheeler Woodford Birch
James Wheeler Woodford Birch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st British Resident of Perak
In office
4 November 1874 – 2 November 1875
Preceded by None
Succeeded by Frank A. Swettenham
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Born April 3, 1826(1826-04-03)
South England, United Kingdom
Died November 2, 1875 (aged 49)
Pasir Salak, British Malaya
Religion Christian
James Wheeler Woodford Birch, commonly known as J. W. W. Birch (3 April 1826 - 2 November 1875) was the first British Resident in Perak, Malaysia. He was appointed to the post on 4 November 1874 as the government adviser to the Sultan of Perak following the signing of the famous Pangkor Treaty on 20 January 1874, which established Perak as a British protectorate state.
Contents
1 Assassination
2 Memorial
3 Sources and references
4 See also
Assassination
Birch was killed on 2 November 1875 by a local Malay chief, Dato Maharajalela and his assistant Sepuntum, who speared him to death while he was taking his bath, nearby a river, in Pasir Salak, near today's Teluk Intan (Teluk Anson).
There is inconsistency as to the reason why Birch was assassinated. One view is that Birch's assassination was because he outlawed slavery in Perak. Dato Maharajalela, whose income depended on capturing and selling the indigenes of Perak or Orang Asli as slaves, was then incensed and plotted with some of the slave-traders to kill Birch by spearing him when he was taking his bath in the river.
The more popular view among local historians indicate that Birch was assassinated because of his disrespect to the local custom and tradition, and conflict with local Malay chiefs. He was known to be arrogant and disrespectful of even the Sultan of Perak. Some history books noted how he was despised by the Sultan. Dato' Maharajalela is generally celebrated as a folk hero among Malaysians, due to his substantial contribution.
In the aftermath of the event, the administration shifted to Taiping. Sultan Abdullah was deposed and sent to exile in Seychelles. Dato Maharajalela and others involved in the incident were hanged.
Memorial
Birch's grave is located near the site of British fort at Kampung Pasir Pulai, about 24 km from Pasir Salak. Roads in Kuala Lumpur and Taiping were thought to have been named after him (Birch Road), but this was for a different Birch; ironically, the same road was later renamed after Dato Maharajalela (Maharajalela Road; Malay: Jalan Maharajalela) after Malaysia's independence in 1957. Similarly Birch Road also appeared in several towns in Malaysia, they were Seremban, Penang and Ipoh, also found in Singapore.
Larut War
Larut War was a series of four wars started in July 1861 and ended with the signing of the Pangkor Treaty of 1874. The conflict was fought among local Malay chieftains and Chinese secret societies over the control of mining areas in Perak.
Contents
1 First war (1861-1862)
2 Second war (1865)
3 Third war (1871-1874)
4 Final war and the Pangkor Treaty
First war (1861-1862)
The First Larut War began in July 1861 when arguments over control of watercourse to their mines escalated and led members of the Hai San Society to drive the members of the Ghee Hin society out of Klian Bahru (now known as Kamunting). The Governor of Straits Settlements, Colonel Cavenagh intervened and the Mentri of Larut, Ngah Ibrahim, was made to compensate the Ghee Hin with $17,447 on behalf of the Sultan of Perak.
Second war (1865)
The Second Larut War took place in 1865 and was sparked off by a gambling quarrel in June of that year between members of the two opposing secret societies. The Hai San members took 14 Ghee Hin as prisoners, 13 of whom were killed. The 14th escaped to inform his clan and the Ghee Hin retaliated by attacking a Hai San village, razing it to the ground and killing 40 men in the process. The battle continued back and forth and spread to Province Wellesley and the island of Penang while other secret societies started to join the fray. Both sides were later exhausted and finally decided to come to terms. An official inquiry took place and both the Hai San and Ghee Hin societies were fined $5,000 each for violating the peace of Penang and their leaders, banished.
By around 1870, there were a combined total of about 40,000 Hakka and Cantonese mine workers in the Larut district and the mining areas between the two groups were near to each other. It is this proximity that might explain how the next battle began.
Third war (1871-1874)
The Third Larut War erupted in 1871 over a scandal - an extra-marital relationship involving the Ghee Hin leader and the wife of a nephew of the Hai San leader, Chung Keng Quee. Upon discovery, the adulterous couple was caught, tortured, put into a pig basket and thrown into a disused mining pond where they drowned. Avenging the death of their leader, Ghee Hin had 4,000 professional fighting men imported from mainland China via Penang attacked the Hai Sans and for the first time, the Hai Sans were driven out of Larut. About 10,000 Hai San men sought refuge in Penang. In months, Hai Sans supported by Ngah Ibrahim recovered their Matang and Larut mines. At this time, Raja Abdullah a claimant to the throne of Perak and an enemy of Ngah Ibrahim, took sides against the Hai Sans and Ngah Ibrahim and the wars between the Chinese miners transformed into civil war involving the Malay chiefs of Perak.
[edit] Final war and the Pangkor Treaty
The Fourth Larut War occurred in 1873, merely a year after the previous battle. Weeks after Hai Sans regained Larut, Ghee Hin, supported by Raja Abdullah, counter-attacked with arms and men from Singapore and China. Ngah Ibrahim's properties in Matang were destroyed. Local Malay residents were also killed and their property, destroyed. Trouble spread to Krian, Pangkor and Dindings. The quarrelling Malay chiefs who had taken sides in the Larut Wars were now alarmed at the disorder created by the Chinese miners and secret societies. The Straits Settlement Penang Chinese seeing their investments destroyed in the Larut Wars sought intervention form British. Over 40,000 Chinese from the Go-Kuan and Si-Kuan were engaged in the fratricidal war involving the Perak royal family.
The Perak sultanate, involved in a protracted succession struggle was unable to maintain order. Things were increasingly getting out of hand and chaos was proving bad for the Malays, Chinese and British. In her book "The Golden Chersonese and The Way Thither" (Published 1892 G.P. Putnam's Sons) Victorian traveller and adventuress Isabella Lucy Bird (1831-1904) describes how Raja Muda Abdullah as he then was turned to his friend in Singapore, Tan Kim Ching. Tan, together with an English merchant in Singapore drafted a letter to Governor Sir Andrew Clarke which Abdullah signed. The letter expressed Abdullah's desire to place Perak under British protection, and "to have a man of sufficient abilities to show (him) a good system of government." On the 26th of September, 1872 Chung Keng Quee had already presented a petition, signed by himself and 44 other Chinese leaders, seeking British interference following the attack of 12,000 men of Chung Shan by 2,000 men of Sen Ning. (The Petition)
The need to restore law and order in Perak gave cause for a new British policy concerning intervention in the affairs of the Malay States which resulted in the Pangkor Treaty. In 1874, the Straits Settlements governor Sir Andrew Clarke convened a meeting on Pulau Pangkor, at which Sultan Abdullah was installed on the throne of Perak in preference to his rival, Sultan Ismail.
Documents were signed on 20 January 1874 aboard the ship The Pluto at Pangkor Island to settle the Chinese dispute, clear the Sultan succession dispute and pave the way for the acceptance of British Residency - Captain Speedy was appointed to administer Larut as assistant to the British Resident.
Chung Keng Quee and Chin Ah Yam, leaders of the Hai San and Ghee Hin, respectively, were enobled by the British with the title of Chinese Kapitan and the town of Larut was renamed Taiping ("太平" in Chinese, meaning “everlasting peace”) as a confirmation of the new state of truce. Three days later, Chung Keng Quee was appointed a member of the Pacification Commission headed by Captain S. Dunlop and Messrs. Frank Swettenham and William A. Pickering - one of the objectives of the commission was to arrange an amicable settlement of the squabbles over the tin mines at Larut.
The Commissioners decided to allocate the mines in Klian Pauh (Taiping) to the Hai Sans and the mines in Klian Bharu (Kamunting) to the Ghee Hins.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larut_War"
Perak was a major tin producer throughout the nineteenth century, leading the United Kingdom, which had already colonized Penang, Malacca and Singapore, to consider Perak of significant importance. However, local strife, collectively known as the Larut War, between the local Malay elites and frequent clashes between Chinese secret societies disrupted the supply of tin from the mines of Perak.
In 1871, Sultan Ali of Perak died. Raja Abdullah, as Raja Muda or heir apparent, should have succeeded to the throne, but because he had not been present at the burial of the late Sultan Ali, Raja Bendahara Raja Ismail was proclaimed Sultan of Perak instead. At around the same time, two Chinese secret societies, known as Ghee Hin led by Chin Ah Yam and Hai San led by Chung Keng Quee, constantly waged battle against each other for control of the tin mines.
Contents
1 First war (1861-1862)
2 Second war (1865)
3 Third war (1871-1874)
4 Final war and the Pangkor Treaty
First war (1861-1862)
The First Larut War began in July 1861 when arguments over control of watercourse to their mines escalated and led members of the Hai San Society to drive the members of the Ghee Hin society out of Klian Bahru (now known as Kamunting). The Governor of Straits Settlements, Colonel Cavenagh intervened and the Mentri of Larut, Ngah Ibrahim, was made to compensate the Ghee Hin with $17,447 on behalf of the Sultan of Perak.
Second war (1865)
The Second Larut War took place in 1865 and was sparked off by a gambling quarrel in June of that year between members of the two opposing secret societies. The Hai San members took 14 Ghee Hin as prisoners, 13 of whom were killed. The 14th escaped to inform his clan and the Ghee Hin retaliated by attacking a Hai San village, razing it to the ground and killing 40 men in the process. The battle continued back and forth and spread to Province Wellesley and the island of Penang while other secret societies started to join the fray. Both sides were later exhausted and finally decided to come to terms. An official inquiry took place and both the Hai San and Ghee Hin societies were fined $5,000 each for violating the peace of Penang and their leaders, banished.
By around 1870, there were a combined total of about 40,000 Hakka and Cantonese mine workers in the Larut district and the mining areas between the two groups were near to each other. It is this proximity that might explain how the next battle began.
Third war (1871-1874)
The Third Larut War erupted in 1871 over a scandal - an extra-marital relationship involving the Ghee Hin leader and the wife of a nephew of the Hai San leader, Chung Keng Quee. Upon discovery, the adulterous couple was caught, tortured, put into a pig basket and thrown into a disused mining pond where they drowned. Avenging the death of their leader, Ghee Hin had 4,000 professional fighting men imported from mainland China via Penang attacked the Hai Sans and for the first time, the Hai Sans were driven out of Larut. About 10,000 Hai San men sought refuge in Penang. In months, Hai Sans supported by Ngah Ibrahim recovered their Matang and Larut mines. At this time, Raja Abdullah a claimant to the throne of Perak and an enemy of Ngah Ibrahim, took sides against the Hai Sans and Ngah Ibrahim and the wars between the Chinese miners transformed into civil war involving the Malay chiefs of Perak.
[edit] Final war and the Pangkor Treaty
The Fourth Larut War occurred in 1873, merely a year after the previous battle. Weeks after Hai Sans regained Larut, Ghee Hin, supported by Raja Abdullah, counter-attacked with arms and men from Singapore and China. Ngah Ibrahim's properties in Matang were destroyed. Local Malay residents were also killed and their property, destroyed. Trouble spread to Krian, Pangkor and Dindings. The quarrelling Malay chiefs who had taken sides in the Larut Wars were now alarmed at the disorder created by the Chinese miners and secret societies. The Straits Settlement Penang Chinese seeing their investments destroyed in the Larut Wars sought intervention form British. Over 40,000 Chinese from the Go-Kuan and Si-Kuan were engaged in the fratricidal war involving the Perak royal family.
The Perak sultanate, involved in a protracted succession struggle was unable to maintain order. Things were increasingly getting out of hand and chaos was proving bad for the Malays, Chinese and British. In her book "The Golden Chersonese and The Way Thither" (Published 1892 G.P. Putnam's Sons) Victorian traveller and adventuress Isabella Lucy Bird (1831-1904) describes how Raja Muda Abdullah as he then was turned to his friend in Singapore, Tan Kim Ching. Tan, together with an English merchant in Singapore drafted a letter to Governor Sir Andrew Clarke which Abdullah signed. The letter expressed Abdullah's desire to place Perak under British protection, and "to have a man of sufficient abilities to show (him) a good system of government." On the 26th of September, 1872 Chung Keng Quee had already presented a petition, signed by himself and 44 other Chinese leaders, seeking British interference following the attack of 12,000 men of Chung Shan by 2,000 men of Sen Ning. (The Petition)
The need to restore law and order in Perak gave cause for a new British policy concerning intervention in the affairs of the Malay States which resulted in the Pangkor Treaty. In 1874, the Straits Settlements governor Sir Andrew Clarke convened a meeting on Pulau Pangkor, at which Sultan Abdullah was installed on the throne of Perak in preference to his rival, Sultan Ismail.
Documents were signed on 20 January 1874 aboard the ship The Pluto at Pangkor Island to settle the Chinese dispute, clear the Sultan succession dispute and pave the way for the acceptance of British Residency - Captain Speedy was appointed to administer Larut as assistant to the British Resident.
Chung Keng Quee and Chin Ah Yam, leaders of the Hai San and Ghee Hin, respectively, were enobled by the British with the title of Chinese Kapitan and the town of Larut was renamed Taiping ("太平" in Chinese, meaning “everlasting peace”) as a confirmation of the new state of truce. Three days later, Chung Keng Quee was appointed a member of the Pacification Commission headed by Captain S. Dunlop and Messrs. Frank Swettenham and William A. Pickering - one of the objectives of the commission was to arrange an amicable settlement of the squabbles over the tin mines at Larut.
The Commissioners decided to allocate the mines in Klian Pauh (Taiping) to the Hai Sans and the mines in Klian Bharu (Kamunting) to the Ghee Hins.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larut_War"
Perak was a major tin producer throughout the nineteenth century, leading the United Kingdom, which had already colonized Penang, Malacca and Singapore, to consider Perak of significant importance. However, local strife, collectively known as the Larut War, between the local Malay elites and frequent clashes between Chinese secret societies disrupted the supply of tin from the mines of Perak.
In 1871, Sultan Ali of Perak died. Raja Abdullah, as Raja Muda or heir apparent, should have succeeded to the throne, but because he had not been present at the burial of the late Sultan Ali, Raja Bendahara Raja Ismail was proclaimed Sultan of Perak instead. At around the same time, two Chinese secret societies, known as Ghee Hin led by Chin Ah Yam and Hai San led by Chung Keng Quee, constantly waged battle against each other for control of the tin mines.
Jalong statue
English: Buddha Brahmin statue (The Jalong Statue). The Jalong statue takes its name from the place where it was discovered in 1936, Jalong, near Sungai Siput, Perak. The statue is made of bronze. Its left hand holds some sort of pious object, for prayer. The right hand was missing when the statue was discovered. The design is very much influenced by statues from Srivijiaya of the 9th to the 11th century.
Bahasa Melayu: Patung Buddha Brahmin (Patung Jalong). Patung ini juga dikenali sebagai Patung Jalong mengambil nama sempena tempat ia ditemui iaitu di Jalong. Sungai Siput, Perak, la ditemui pada tahun 1936, Patung ini diperbuat daripa gangsa. Tangan kirinya memgang alat pemujaan agama sementara tangan kanannya patah semasa ditemui. Bentuk patung ini banyak dipengaruhi oleh patung-patung zaman kerajaan Srivijaya pada kurun ke-9 hingga 11 Masihi.
Media in category "Jalong statue"
Bahasa Melayu: Patung Buddha Brahmin (Patung Jalong). Patung ini juga dikenali sebagai Patung Jalong mengambil nama sempena tempat ia ditemui iaitu di Jalong. Sungai Siput, Perak, la ditemui pada tahun 1936, Patung ini diperbuat daripa gangsa. Tangan kirinya memgang alat pemujaan agama sementara tangan kanannya patah semasa ditemui. Bentuk patung ini banyak dipengaruhi oleh patung-patung zaman kerajaan Srivijaya pada kurun ke-9 hingga 11 Masihi.
Media in category "Jalong statue"
Buddha of Ipoh
Buddha of Ipoh
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
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English: Standing Buddha statue made from brass, found in a tin mine in Pengkalan Pegoh, Ipoh, Perak in 1931.
Bahasa Melayu: Patung Buddha berdiri daripada tembaga telah dijumpai di kawasan lombong bijih timah di Pengkalan Pegoh, Ipoh, Perak pada tahun 1931.
Media in category "Buddha of Ipoh"
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Jump to: navigation, search
English: Standing Buddha statue made from brass, found in a tin mine in Pengkalan Pegoh, Ipoh, Perak in 1931.
Bahasa Melayu: Patung Buddha berdiri daripada tembaga telah dijumpai di kawasan lombong bijih timah di Pengkalan Pegoh, Ipoh, Perak pada tahun 1931.
Media in category "Buddha of Ipoh"
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