Tuesday 12 April 2016

Transfer by Pangeran Muda Hassim of the Government of Sarawak, 1841

This Agreement made in the year of the Prophet one thousand two hundred and fifty-seven at twelve o’ clock on Wednesday the thirtieth day of the month of Rejab showeth that with a pure heart and high integrity PANGERAN MUDA HASSIM son of the late Sultan Muhammad hereby transfers to JAMES BROOKE Esquire the Government of Sarawak together with the dependencies thereof its revenues and all its future responsibilities. Moreover he James Brooke Esquire shall be the sole owner of its revenues and will be alone responsible for the public expenditure necessary for the good of Sarawak.

Moreover James Brooke Esquire acting with the same integrity and pureness of heart accepts This Agreement as set forth and further undertakes from the date hereof to pay to the Sultan of Brunei one thousand dollars to Pangeran Muda one thousand dollars to the Petinggi three hundred dollars to the Bandar one hundred and fifty dollars and to the Temenggong one hundred dollars.

Moreover James Brooke Esquire undertakes that the laws and customs of the Malays of Sarawak shall for ever be respected since the country of Sarawak has hitherto been subject to the government of the Sultan of Brunei the Pangeran Muda and Malayan rajas.

Moreover should intrigues arise either within or without the State of Sarawak detrimental to its interests whether caused by peoples or princes or rulers who may be inimical to Sarawak the Sultan and his brother the Pangeran Muda shall uphold James Brooke Esquire as the lawfully appointed Ruler of Sarawak subject to no interference by any other person.

Moreover the Pangeran Muda and James Brooke Esquire do themselves make this Contract and the Pangeran agrees to relinquish all further activities in the Government of Sarawak except such as may be carried out by the consent of James Brooke Esquire and anything which they may severally or individually do in regard to the Government of Sarawak must be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.


Written in Sarawak on the night of Friday the second day of Shaaban 1257 at ten o’ clock.

Appointment by Sultan of Brunei of James Brooke to Govern as His Representative, 1842.

In the era of the prophet – God grant him peace! – the year one thousand two hundred and fifty-eight, the year Alip, the twenty-fourth day of Jamadalachir, the day being Monday and the time ten o’ clock: -

His Highness Sultan Omar Ali Saifu’d-Din son of the late Sultan Mahomed Jamalu’l-Alam appoints James Brooke Esquire to be his representative and in that capacity to govern the privince of Sarawak, and James Brooke Esquire covenants and undertakes to observe the orders, custom, laws and regulations of His Highness the Sultan. James Brooke Esquire is responsible for all the affairs of the province of Sarawak, and no one at all may interfere upon any pretext except on the express command of His Highness the Sultan. Regarding the affairs of the other districts within our coasts James Brooke Esquire is not to exercise authority or concern himself in any way, but only within the province of Sarawak. So it is agreed between His Highness and the Tuan Besar.

And with regard to the province of Srawak the Tuan Besar alone is appointed our representative to govern it, and no other European of any nationality may except only after submission to His Highness and Pangeran Muda Hassim, and only with their permission.

Regarding the revenues of the province of Sarawak the Tuan Besar undertakes to pay as tribute every year to His Highness one thousand dollars, to Pangeran Muda Hassim one thousand dollars, to the Patinggi three hundred dollars to the Bandar one hundred and fifty dollars to the Tumunggong one hundred dollars annually. If the trade of the province of Sarawak becomes flourishing and the province obtains a large revenue the Tuan Besar shall increase the tribute to be paid to His Highness and the Pangeran Muda Hassim.

Further with reference to the Sapang and Sambok Kongsies which have been working in the province of Sarawak taxation is to be in accordance with the size of their undertaking whether large or small for this is a matter which is excluded from the control of the Tuan Besar.

The above is the Agreement between His Highness and the Tuan Besar aforesaid and contained in this written contract for the province of Sarawak.

Sunday 10 April 2016

Siniawan Rebellion (Kebangkitan Siniawan)

Until the 1820’s, Brunei’s interest in Sarawak had been limited to the collection of annual tribute. It was the chance discovery of antimony ore by some Brunei pengirans on their way to Singapore in 1823 that  made Sarawak a focus of interest. Pengiran Indera Mahkota was appointed governor of Sarawak by the Sultan of Brunei who was anxious to obtain revenue from the export of antimony. Mahkota established a new capital at Kuching where a number of other Brunei pengirans also took up residence. One of these, Pengiran Usup, grandson of the Sultan, negotiated the sale of Sarawak to the brother of the Sultan of Sambas in about 1836. When Muda Hashim, then the effective ruler of Brunei, would not agree, Usup fomented a rebellion against Brunei authority by the Sarawak datus and the Bidayuh antimony miners. They were probably already disaffected due to the monopolization of the antimony trade by the pengirans . . .

It is interesting to note that the rebellion is not really an "us-versus-them" (read: nationalistic) story as painted in the textbook, but rather a "us-versus-us" situation: Datu Patinggi Ali and Indera Mahkota were both considered Malays, while Pangeran Usop and Indera Mahkota are both Bruneian royalty.

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After stopping the rebellion, James Brooke demands the position as the Sarawak Governor as promised by Muda Hashim. Indera Mahkota persuades Muda Hashim to stall on the promise, and James Brooke gets angry. Knowing how Indera Mahkota is standing in his way, Brooke was finally obliged to use naked force to achieve his ambition His yatch the Royalist was brought up the river to Muda Hashim’s palace and all guns were trained on it. Declaring vengeance on Pengiran Mahkota whom he accused of an attempt to poison him, Brooke forced Muda Mashim and his people to choose between himself and the Pengiran for their loyalty. Of course, they choose James Brooke to save their lives. Muda Hashim immediately ratifies the agreement (the 1841 agreement between Muda Hashim and James Brooke is attached in another post).

As Brooke recorded it,

“This demonstration tested public opinion, and two hundred of the natives immediately joined me, and not a single man joined Mahkota . . . henceforward I was to hold the government. I expounded my principles to them, and really believe they are well pleased.”


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1. Our Sarawak – Persatuan Kesusasteraan Sarawak, 1983

Pangeran Indera Mahkota

Pangeran Indera Mahkota was born Pangeran Mohd Salleh, in Sambas. Pangeran Indera Mahkota is actually his title given by the Sultan of Brunei, but was better known by his title than his name.

He was a well-educated man, educated in Batavia (Betawi in BM, present-day Jakarta), and furthered his studies in Holland. Around 1820, he was summoned back by the sultan and made governor of Sarawak. He first founded Kuching, at a site previously known as Lidah Tanah.

Indera Mahkota was said to be a man of outstanding talent and sophistication, an orator and a poet as well as a skillful politician.. James Brooke himself acknowledged this in his diary:

"His education has been more attended to than others of his rank. He both reads and writes his own language, and is well acquainted with the government, laws , and customs of Borneo."

"My greatest enemy I know to be Mahkota, who with a few other leading men, resists all my attempts to fulfil (Muda Hashim’s) engagements’." (On Muda Hashim’s delay of fulfilling the promise, largely due to pressure from Pengiran Mahkota who could probably see the long-term consequences.) 

Spenser St John, Brooke’s private secretary who later acted as British Consul-General in Brunei, thought that he was ‘the most talented man I met in Borneo’.

Indera Mahkota knew the promise between Muda Hashim and James Brooke (to cede Sarawak to Brooke) would weaken Brunei, and devised to get rid of James Brooke; he also convinced Muda Hashim to delay handing over official power to James Brooke, causing Brooke to attack the royal palace at Kuching and threatening to release all his cannons and guns unless he was ratified as the governor of Sarawak.

Pengiran Mahkota favoured increased trade but he could see the consequences of European territorial ambtion in Borneo. In his own way, Pengiran Mahkota was a Borneo patriot who had the gift of political foresight. Unfortunately, his vilification by the Brooke court historians continues to obscure his real achievement.

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1. https://historytothemax.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/pengiran-indera-mahkota-part-1/
2. Our Sarawak – Persatuan Kesusasteraan Sarawak, 1983

Pangeran Muda Hashim

Pangeran or Pengiran is a hereditary honorific prefix for those who have blood ties with the royal family who are married, and can be styled Prince or Princess. The crown price would carry the title Pengiran Muda Mahkota, while sons of the Sultan would carry the title Pengiran Muda.
(This would mean that the textbook is redundant in saying Pangeran Raja as they are both essentially the same title)

Pangeran Muda Hashim is therefore a rightful descendant of throne of Brunei, and was heir-apparent to the throne when he decided to instead let the title go to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II and keep his position as the Bendahara of Brunei (Prime Minister equivalent), which he had served as during the reign of the previous sultan. Pangeran Muda Hashim is also the uncle to Sultan Omar. 

He was sent in 1838 to help Pangeran Indera Mahkota to end the rebellion in the Sarawak region by the sultan. Pangeran Muda Hashim made little progress, and was not on good terms with Indera Mahkota. 

"Around 1834 while Pengiran Indera Mahkota was ruling Sarawak Pengiran Muda Hashim arrived there to try to collect revenue. The reigning Sultan at that time was Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien II the nephew of Pengiran Muda Hashim.

Pengiran Muda Hashim’s arrival was not personally recieved by Pengiran Indera Mahkota. He only sent his officers to recieve him while he himself waited in his court. This act hurt Pengiran Muda Hashim’s feelings  and he accused Pengiran Indera Mahkota of not respecting him, an uncle of the Sultan. Pengiran Indera Mahkota’s justification was that since he was appointed by the Sultan surely he had the right to do what he thought was right. Since that day the conflict between the two started . . ."

He first sought help from the NNS governor in Singapore, but to no avail. He then proceeded to seek help from James Brooke upon his second arrival at Sarawak. He offered Siniawan and Kuching as well as the Governor of Sarawak position if Brooke managed to stop the rebellion. 

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1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_styles_and_titles#Brunei
2. http://story-of-sarawak.blogspot.my/2011/12/on-raja-muda-hashim.html
3. Sejarah Malaysia by Ruslan Zainuddin.

James Brooke

James Brooke was born in Bengal on 29th April, 1803. He grew up in India until he was 12, and was sent to England to continue his studies. In 1819, he returned to India to join the Bengal Army. He was involved in the First Anglo-Burmese War and was seriously injured in 1825 (about a year before the Burney Agreement), and was sent back to England to recover. He was asked to retire from his commission to the army, and was paid £70 a year for the rest of his life. He attempted to join SHTI but did not succeed.

His father was an English Court Judge of Appeal, and his father's death in 1833, James Brooke inherited £30,000 (equivalent to £1,484,700 today, or RM8.2m) and bought The Royalist (142-ton schooner) for the purpose of travelling and exploring East Indies (Indonesia today).

He arrived at Singapore in 1839, and was asked by the Governor of NNS (S.G. Bonham) to deliver a thank you letter to Pengiran Muda Hashim for saving some British sailors whose boat had capsized off the shores of Kuching. 

Upon his arrival in 15 August 1839, he found the place to be in a chaotic state, with piracy and local rebellion (details of rebellion will be explained in another post).

Brooke left to continue exploring South East Asia and China, but decided to stop by Sarawak once more before returning to England in 1840. This was when Pengiran Muda Hashim finally decided to request for Brooke's help to quell the rebellion.

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1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brooke
2. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency/default0.asp#mid
3. Sejarah Malaysia by Ruslan Zainuddin.

Sunday 21 February 2016

Temasek to Singapore

Temasek means "Sea Town" in Old Javanese.
Singapura means "Lion City" in Sanskrit.

Legend has it that Seri Teri Buana (Sang Nila Utama) and his men was on an exploration around the Malay Archipelago when they spotted an island with white sandy beach from a high point in Tanjong Bemban, Bintan. They set sail for the island, enduring rough storms, before finally landing at the beaches of Telok Blangah and went inland to hunt for wild animals. Suddenly, he saw a strange animal with an orange body, black head and a white neck breast. It was a fine-looking animal and moved with great speed as it disappeared into the jungle. He asked his chief minister, Demang Lebar Daun, what animal it was, and was told that it probably was a lion.

Seri Teri Buana was pleased with this as he believed it to be a good omen—a sign of good fortune coming his way. Thus, he decided to build his new kingdom in Temasek. He named the kingdom "Singapura", meaning the "Lion City".

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References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Singapura

Background on Melaka

The founding of Melaka comes from two differing sources - Sejarah Melayu and Suma Oriental. Both accounts share similar information, yet the founder of Melaka in each accounts are two different people separated by five generations, with Sejarah Melayu relating the story of Iskandar Shah, a descendant of the legendary Sang Sapurba as the one who started it all after fleeing Temasek to escape the Majapahit attack, while Suma Oriental tells of Parameswara, a Palembang prince that escapes a Siamese attack and finds his way to Melaka.

Sabri Zain mentions that "You can see that the early history of the peninsula is not an exact science and you can sympathise with the poor modern historian who has to consolidate and reconcile such differeng accounts.

The Sejarah Melayu's . . . main theme was to laud the splendour, greatness and superiority of the Melaka Sultanate - and it was written at a time when the Johor court, successors of the Melaka Sultan, were being attacked by Portugese and Achinese. The Sejarah Melayu was probably an attempt by the Johor court to overcome its sense of lost fortunes by regaining the past glories of a mythical golden age.

That said, one must also remember that (Tomé) Pires himself intended the Suma Oriental to serve as a reference book for the new Portugese masters of Melaka and, as such, while apprearing more 'authentic', could not have been completely free of bias against their vanquished foes."

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References:
http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/parames1.htm

Friday 29 January 2016

Selangor Residents' Trivia

After J.W.W. Birch’s murder in Perak, J.G. Davidson was transferred to replace him as Resident of Perak. J.P. Rodgers (1896-1901) and Frank Swettenham (1882-1889) both served as Residents in Selangor.

Campur Tangan British di Selangor

Menjelang akhir tahun 1873, kegiatan lanun dan rompakan semakin merebak di sepanjang pantai negeri Selangor. Keadaan itu tidak dapat dikawal dan ada antara putera sultan sendiri yang dikatakan terlibat dalam kegiatan tersebut.

Sebuah kapal dari Melaka milik rakyat British telah diserang oleh lanun di Langat yang merupakan tempat kediaman Sultan Abdul Samad. Lapan orang anak kapal rakyat British terbunuh. Putera Sultan Abdul Samad yang ketiga, Raja Yaakub disyaki bertanggungjawab ke atas rompakan itu. Pada akhir Disember 1873, sebuah lagi kapal dari Melaka telah diserang, tetapi tiada sebarang tindakan diabil. Lanun-lanun tersebut juga menyerang rumah api Tanjung Tuan awal Januari 1874. Rumah api tersebut telah didirikan oelh kerajaan British dengan kebenaran Sultan Abdul Samad.

Andrew Clarke meminta sultan membicarakan lanun-lanun yang ditangkapnya dan supaya membinasakan kubu-kubu lanun. Lanun-lanun tersebut didapati bersalah dan dijatuhkan hukuman bunuh. Tidak lama selepas itu, berlakunya satu rompakan di Kuala Labu yang dikatakan orang Raja Mahadi. Clarke meninggalkan seorang pegawai tadbir awam NNS, Frank Swettenham di Selangor untuk membantu sultan dalam urusan pemerintahan negeri sebagai penasihat tidak rasmi kepada sultan.

Sultan tertarik dengan kebolehan Swettenham dan tuliskan sepucuk surat ke Clarke menyatakan:

Sangatlah beta berterima kasih kepada sahabat beta yang telah menghantar seorang pegawai Inggeris . . . pegawai yang sahabat beta hantarkan itu terlalu pandai dan juga terlalu bijak dalam hal adat pemerintahan Melayu . . .


Sultan meminta Clarke melantk Swettenham menjadi penasihat baginda dan menawarkan negeri Selangor diletakkan di bawah naungan British. Pihak NNS tidak setuju dengan cadangan tersebut sebab Swettenham dianggap terlalu muda (umur 24 tahun). J.G. Davidson dilantik sebagai Residen, dan Swettenham dilantik sebagai Penolong Residen.

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References:
Ruslan Zainuddin. (2004). Sejarah Malaysia. Kursus Komprehensif Fajar Bakti. 2e

Perang Saudara Selangor 1866-73 (part 2)

Tengku Kudin dilantik sebagai Wakil Sultan sebagai usaha baginda mengusir Raja Mahadi, tapi perlantikannya dibantah oleh kerabat raja yang lain yang menganggapnya sebagai “orang luar”. Mereka bersatu tenaga untuk menetang Tengku Kudin.

Pada mulanya, Tengku Kudin menawarkan dirinya sebagai orang tengah untuk mendamaikan persengketaan antara Raja Mahadi dengan Raja Ismail (putera Raja Abdullah yang meneruskan penetangannya selepas kemangkatan Raja Abdullah), namun ditolak oleh Raja Mahadi.

Selepas ditolak, Tengku Kudin bergabung dengan Raja Ismail menentang Raja Mahadi. Beliau menggunakan strategi tidak terus menyerang, tetapi menyekat kemasukan barang-barang (terutamanya barangan makanan) ke Klang. Beliau juga menyekat perdagangan bijih timah di antara Klang dengan kawasan darat di Selangor.


Puak Hai San yang diketuai oleh Yap Ah Loy memberi sokongan kepada Tengku Kudin, dan pada akhir tahun 1872, dengan bantuan orang Bendahara Wan Ahmad dari Pahang, Raja Mahadi berjaya diusir.

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References:
Ruslan Zainuddin. (2004). Sejarah Malaysia. Kursus Komprehensif Fajar Bakti. 2e

Perang Saudara Selangor 1866-73 (part 1)

Raja Mahadi iri hati atas kejayaan dan keuntungan Raja Abdullah dalam perusahaan perlombongan bijih timah dan cuba menuntut hak beliau ke atas Lembah Klang, tetapi ditolak oleh Sultan Abdul Samad.

Bagi mengelakkan sebarang kekecohan, Raja Abdullah bersetuju membayar wang sagu hati setiap bulan kepada Raja Mahadi, tetapi Raja Mahadi berpendapat bahawa beliau sepatutnya menerima sekurang-kurangnya setengah daripada hasil pendapatan daerah Klang. Beliau membuat tuntutan kepada Sultan Abdul Samad tetapi ditolak, dan Sultan Abdul Samad menasihatkan Raja Abdullah supaya menghentikan terus bayaran sagu hatinya.

Raja Abdullah dan Sultan Abdul Samad merupakan pembesar keturunan Bugis. Hubungan antara orang Bugis dengan orang Melayu Sumatera sudah renggan sejak abad ke-18 lagi kerana mereka sering berperang untuk menyebelahi raja masing-masing dalam merebut kuasa kerajaan di Johor dan Riau.

Terdapat satu pergaduhan antara orang Melayu Sumatera dan orang Bugis yang menyebabkan seorang bernama Panchik Rasul mati dibunuh. Orang Melayu Sumatera menuntut Raja Abdullah menghukum pembunuhnya, tetapi ditolak. Orang Melayu Sumatera mencari Raja Mahadi untuk menawarkan bantuan jika beliau sanggup berperang melawan Raja Abdullah. Raja Mahadi juga disokong oleh Kongsi Gelap Ghee Hin dan anak-anak Bendahara Wan Mutahir.


Pada akhir tahun 1866, Raja Mahadi berjaya menawan Klang dan memaksa Raja Abdullah berundur ke Melaka. Raja Abdullah menerima kekalahan apabila dijanji Raja Mahadi bayaran $500 sebulan hasil kutipan cukai. Raja Mahadi menimbulkan kemurkaan Sultan Abdul Samad apabila beliau menghentikan bayaran bulanan seperti yang dijanjikan. Sultan memutuskan pertunangan puterinya, Raja Arfah dengan Raja Mahadi, dan mengkahwinkan puterinya kepada Tengku Kudin.

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References:

Ruslan Zainuddin. (2004). Sejarah Malaysia. Kursus Komprehensif Fajar Bakti. 2e

Why Raja Mahadi doesn't like Raja Abdullah

Semasa Sultan Muhammad Shah menjadi raja (1826-1857), baginda menyerahkan daerah lembah Sungai Klang kepada putera sulungnya, Raja Sulaiman. Apabila mendapati Raja Sulaiman tidak berusaha memajukan kawasan tersebut, baginda telah menyerahkan daerah tersebut kepada menantu saudaranya, iaitu Raja Abdullah bin Tunku Jaafar. Tindakan Sultan Muhammad menimbulkan bantahan daripada Raja Mahadi, putera Raja Sulaiman., yang berpendapat beliau yang lebih berhak menerima warisan ayahnya.


Raja Abdullah berusaha untuk membangunkan daerah tersebut – beliau pergi ke Melaka dan berjaya memperoleh pinjaman sebanyak $30,000 daripada dua orang tauke, Chee Yam Chuan dan Lim Say Hoe. Raja Abdullah juga membawa masuk buruh-buruh Cina untuk mengerjakan lombong-lombong yang baru dibuka. Menjelang tahun 1859, bijih timah yang dikeluarkan itu dieksport ke NNS. Beliau memperoleh pendapatan yang lumayan dari jualan bijih timah dan cukai-cukai daripada bijih timah. Menjelang tahun 1860, terdapat kira-kira 100,000 orang Cina di negeri-negeri di pantai barat Tanah Melayu (tertarik oleh kejayaan usaha perlombongan).

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References:

Ruslan Zainuddin. (2004). Sejarah Malaysia. Kursus Komprehensif Fajar Bakti. 2e

Textbook errors

The Form 2 textbook states that Raja Ismail diakui sebagai Raja Muda, when in fact he is given a new title “Sultan Muda” with a monthly pay of $1,000.

Perubahan dasar tidak campur tangan British

Bawah pimpinan Benjamin Disraeli, Lord Kimberley di Pejabat Tanah Jajahan bertarikh 20 Sept 1873 kepada Andrew Clarke menyatakan:


Whether there are, in your opinion, any steps which can properly be taken by the Colonial Government to promote the restoration of peace and order, and to secure the protection to trade and commerce with the native territories. I should wish you especially to consider whether it would be advisable to appoint a British officer to reside in any of the states. Such an appointment could dbe made with the full consent of the native Government.

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References:
Ruslan Zainuddin. (2004). Sejarah Malaysia. Kursus Komprehensif Fajar Bakti. 2e

Pertikaian Merebut Takhta

Raja Yusuf yang sepatutnya dilantik menjadi Raja Bendahara tidak disetujui oleh Sultan Jaafar kerana semasa pemerintahan Sultan Abdullah Muhammad Shah (ayahanda Raja Yusuf), berlakunya perbalahan antara kedua-dua mereka. Raja Bendahara diberi kepada Sultan Ismail, yang bukannya waris yang berhak dalam menuntut takhta Perak sebab ayahandanya berasal dari Siak.

Apabila Sultan Jaafar mangkat, puteranya Raja Abdullah dilantik Raja Muda kerana Raja Ismail dianggap tidak layak dinaikkan pangkat. Raja Yusuf sekali lagi diketepikan.Raja Yusuf memberi amaran untuk berjuang menuntut takhta apabila Sultan Ali mangkat kerana takhta itu adalah haknya.

Apabila Sultan Ali mangkat, terdapat tiga orang yang menuntut takhta, iaitu Raja Abdullah, Raja Ismail dan Raja Yusuf. Raja Abdullah diundang menghadiri upacara pemakaman jenazah Al-Marhum Sultan Ali di Sayong. Mengikut adat istiadat Melayu Perak, bakal sultan mestilah hadir dan mengangkat sumpah sebagai sultan yang baru sebelum istiadat pengebumian bekas sultan disempurnakan.

Raja Abdullah tidak hadir dalam upacara tersebut kerana bimbang dibunuh oleh pengikut Raja Yusuf. Perjalanannya dari Batak Rabit (bahagian hilir Sungai Perak) perlu melalui daerah Senggang yang didiami Raja Yusuf.


Setelah menunggu ketibaan Raja Abdullah lebih dari sebulan, pembesar Perak membuat keputusan bahawa jenazah Al-Marhum Sultan Ali mesti dimakankan dan pengganti sultan ditabalkan. Raja Ismail seterusnya dilantik sebagai Sultan. (Ngah Ibrahim dikatakan memainkan peranan penting di belakang tabir yang membawa kepada perlantikan Raja Ismail sebagai sultan).

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References:

Ruslan Zainuddin. (2004). Sejarah Malaysia. Kursus Komprehensif Fajar Bakti. 2e

Sistem Perwarisan Takhta di Perak

Tiga keluarga diraja akan berkongsi hak untuk menaiki takhta kerajaan. Setiap keluarga akan mencalonkan seorang putera yang bakal menaiki takhta melalui satu sistem pusingan. Seseorang putera raja wajib melalui tiga jawatan sebelum berhak menjadi sultan.

Raja di Hilir –> Raja Bendahara –> Raja Muda –> Sultan

Putera sultan yang baru menaiki takhta berada pada hierarki di bawah sebagai Raja di Hilir.

Sistem ini memastikan seseorang putera raja yang bakal menaiki takhta mempunyai pengalaman yang luas dari segi pentadiran dan pemerintahan. Namun, kenaikan peringkat bukannya secara automatik. Para pembesar negeri berhak mengenepikan seseorang putera raja yang difikir tidak layak.

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References:
Ruslan Zainuddin. (2004). Sejarah Malaysia. Kursus Komprehensif Fajar Bakti. 2e

Thursday 28 January 2016

Perjanjian Pangkor 1874

Whereas, a state of anarchy exists in the Kingdom of Perak owing to the want of settled government in the Country, and no efficient power exists for the protection of the people and for securing to them the fruits of their industry, and,

Whereas, large numbers of Chinese are employed and large sums of money invested in Tin mining in Perak by British subjects and others residing in Her Majesty's Possessions, and the said mines and property are not adequately protected, and piracy, murder and arson are rife in the said country, whereby British trade and interests greatly suffer, and the peace and good order of the neighbouring British Settlements are sometimes menaced, and,

Whereas, certain Chiefs for the time being of the said Kingdom of Perak have stated their inability to cope with the present difficulties, and together with those interested in the industry of the country have requested assistance, and,

Whereas, Her Majesty's Government is bound by Treaty Stipulations to protect the said Kingdom and to assist its rulers, now,

His Excellency Sir Andrew Clarke, K.C.M.G., C.B., Governor of the Colony of the Straits Settlements, in compliance with the said request, and with a view of assisting the said rulers and of effecting a permanent settlement of affairs in Perak, has proposed the following Articles of arrangements as mutually beneficial to the Independent Rulers of Perak, their subjects, the subjects of Her Majesty, and others residing in or trading with Perak, that is to say:-

I. First – That the Rajah Muda Abdullah be recognised as the Sultan of Perak.

II. Second – That the Rajah Bandahara Ismail, now Acting Sultan, be allowed to retain the title of Sultan Muda with a pension and a certain small Territory assigned to him.

III. Third – That all the other nominations of great Officers made at the time the Rajah Bandahara Ismail received the regalia be confirmed.

IV. Fourth – That the power given to the Orang Kayah Mantri over Larut by the late Sultan be confirmed.

V. Fifth – That all Revenues be collected and all appointments made in the name of the Sultan.

VI. Sixth – That the Sultan receive and provide a suitable residence for a British Officer to be called Resident, who shall be accredited to his Court, and whose advice must be asked and acted upon on all questions other than those touching Malay Religion and Custom.

VII. Seventh – That the Governor of Larut shall have attached to him as Assistant Resident, a British Officer acting uner the Resident of Perak, with similar power and subordinate only to the said Resident.

VIII. Eight – That the cost of these Residents with their Establishments be determined by the Government of the Straits Settlements and be a first charge on the Revenues of Perak.

IX. Ninth – That a Civil List regulating the income to be received by the Sultan, by the Bandahara, by the Mantri, and by the other Officers be the next charge on the said Revenue.

X. Tenth – That the collection and control of all Revenues and the general administration of the country be regulated under the advice of these Residents.

XI. Eleventh – That the Treaty under which the Pulo Dinding and the islands of Pangkor were ceded to Great Britain having been misunderstood and it being desirable to readjust the same, so as to carry into effect the intention of the Framers thereof, it is hereby declared that the Boundaries of the said Territory so ceded shall be rectified as follows, that is to say:-

From Bukit Sigari, as laid down in the Chart Sheet No. 1 Straits of Malacca, a tracing of which is annexed1, marked A, in a straight line to the sea, thence along the sea coast to the South, to Pulo Katta on the West, and from Pulo Katta a line running North East about five miles, and thence North to Bukit Sigari.

XII. Twelfth – That the Southern watershed of the Krean River, that is to say, the portion of land draining into that River from the South be declared British Territory, as a rectification of the Southern Boundary of Province Wellesley. Such Boundary to be marked out by Commissioners; one named by the Government of the Straits Settlements, and the other by the Sultan of Perak.

XIII. Thirteenth – That on the cessation of the present disturbances in Perak and the re-establishment of peace and amity among the contending factions in that Country, immediate measures under the control and supervision of one or more British Officers shall be taken for restoring as far as practicable the occupation of the Mines, and the possession of Machinery, &c., as held previous to the commencement of these disturbances, and for the payment of compensation for damages, the decision of such officers shall be final in such case.

XIV. Fourteenth – The Mantri of Larut engages to acknowledge as a debt due by him to the Government of the Straits Settlements, the charges and expenses incurred by this investigation, as well as charges and expenses to which the Colony of the Straits Settlements and Great Britain have been put or may be put by their efforts to secure the tranquility of Perak and the safety of trade.

The above Articles having been severally read and explained to the undersigned who having understood the same, have severally agreed to and accepted them as binding on them and their Heirs and Successors.

This done and concluded at Pulo Pangkor in the British Possessions, this Twentieth day of January, in the year of the Christian Era, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.

Executed before me,

ANDREW CLARKE,

Governor, Commander-in-Chief, and

Vice-Admiral of the Straits Settlements.

Chop of the Sultan of Perak.

Bandahara of Perak.

Tumongong of Perak.

Mantri of Perak.

Shahbander of Perak.

Rajah Mahkota of Perak.

Laxamana of Perak.

Datoh Sa'gor.


1See Clarke to Kimberley, 26 Jan. 1874, enclosure 9, P.P., C.1111.

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Reference:
http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/hist/eia/documents_archive/pangkor-treaty.php

Foldables idea for istilah masa



Foldables idea for Dasar Campur Tangan British di NNMB






Drawing Zaman Logam




Tuesday 19 January 2016

Drawing Ciri-Ciri Zaman Neolitik





Summary of Negeri-Negeri Melayu Bersekutu

Perang Larut

Perang Larut 1

Long Jaafar melantik Law Ah Sam dari Pulau Pinang sebagai ejen untuk mengendalikan lombongnya di Klian Pauh. Law Ah Sam merupkan ahli kumpulan Hai San (reason why Long Jaafar and Ngah Ibrahim are often seen biased towards Hai San).

Ghee Hin dan Hai San tinggal dalam dua kawasan petempatan yang berasingan, tetapi sempadan kawasan masing-masing tidak mutlak. Ini membolehkan kedua-kedua kumpulan tersebut sentiasa bersaing untuk mendapatkan kawasan bijih timah yang baik.

1861: Seorang pelombong Hai San bergaduh dengan jirannya dari Ghee Hin sebab pelombong Hai San menyekat aliran air daripada mengalir ke lombong puak Ghee Hin. (After much arguing, fighting, plundering, deaths etc) Puak Ghee Hin yang kecil bilangannya melari diri ke Permatang, dan mengadu ke Residen Kaunselor British di Pulau Pinang. British menetapkan wang ganti rugi sebanyak $17, 500 dibayar oleh Sultan Perak kepada puak Ghee Hin, dan Sultan Perak menitah Ngah Ibrahim untuk menjelaskan bayaran itu.

Perang Larut 2

1865: Pertengkaran di sebuah kedai judi di Klian Pauh, seorang anggota puak Ghee Hin ditikam oleh puak Hai San. (After more fighting, murdering, kidnapping and war), Ghee Hin yang kalah melari lagi ke Pulau Pinang dan menuntut Gabenor NNS membayar ganti rugi. (Hai San menang sebab mendapat bantuan dari Ngah Ibrahim) Kerajaan British enggan campur tangan untuk kali kedua. Kemenangan Hai San mendorong mereka untuk melanjutkan pertikaian itu ke P. Pinang. Hai San bergabung dengan Toh Peh Kong dan Bendera Merah (kongsi gelap orang Islam Melayu dan India), manakala Ghee Hin bergabung dengan Bendara Putih.

Rusuhan besar-besaran meletus di P. Pinang sepanjang 5 hari. British menghentikan rusuhan tersebut dan mendendakan $5,000 atas kedua-dua pihak. Ketua-ketua kumpulan kongsi gelap ditangkap dan dibuang negeri.

Perang Larut 3

Lee Ah Khun, ketua puak Ghee Hin mengadakan hubungan sulit dengan isteri pemimpin puak Hai San. Lee Ah Khun dan wanita tersebut ditangkap oleh Hai San, diseksa dan dimasukkan ke dalam keranjang babi untuk diarak sebelum dibunuh.

Puak Ghee Hin membuat serangan mengejut dan berjaya menewaskan puak Hai San. Ngah Ibrahim tidak memberi bantuan kepada puak Hai San, tapi menyewakan tongkang-tongkang bagi membantu puak Hai San melarikan diri ke P. Pinang. Puak Hai San menanggap bantuan Ngah Ibrahim sebagai satu helah untuk mengusir mereka keluar dari Larut. Ini terbukti apabila Ngah Ibrahim menyerahkan kuasa ke atas lombong-lombong tinggalan Hai San kepada Ghee Hin dengan kenakan cukai yang lebih tinggi.

(More wars later) Keadaan menjadi lebih teruk apabila Raja Abdullah menyokong Ghee Hin, dan Ngah Ibrahim menyokong Hai San dengan bantuan senjata dan tentera.


Keadaan ini membimbangkan British kerana pergaduhan tersebut semakin hampir dengan sempadan daerah British di Seberang Perai.

Ngah Ibrahim (Perak)

This is a post on Ngah Ibrahim and how he ended up playing a big role in the Perak conflict, and why he is included in Perjanjian Pangkor.

1850: Raja Ngah Ali (Raja Muda Perak) selaku wakil Sultan Perak mengurniakan secara rasmi daerah Larut kepada Long Jaafar menerusi surat akuan yang bertarikh 6 Nov 1850. Sejak itu, Larut di bawah perintah Long Jaafar sebagai Orang Besar Jajahan Negeri Perak. Selepas Long Jaafar meninggal dunia, anaknya, Ngah Ibrahim menggantikan beliau.

1858: Sultan Perak mengesahkan pengurniaan daerah Larut kepada Ngah Ibrahim dengan tiada sesiapa pun yang boleh membatalkannya. Beliau diberi kuasa membuat undang-undang sendiri, mengadakan hubungan dengan negeri-negeri lain serta berunding secara langsung dengan pihak British di Pulau Pinang tanpa merujuk terlebih dahulu kepada Sultan Perak.


Ngah Ibrahim menjadi kaya melalui lombong bijih timah sendiri, cukai eksport bijih timah, cukai import candu, minuman keras dan lain-lain bekalan yang dibawa masuk untuk pekerja-pekerja di Larut, serta menerima wang dari rumah-rumah penjudian.

Ideas for Zaman Pra-Sejarah

Really cool idea by Cikgu Sophia on how to visualize ciri-ciri Zaman Paleolitik.

 The Palaeolithic Man gathers forest produce.

The Palaeolithic Man raises a family

"The Palaeolithic Man umm dies and is buried."

Sunday 17 January 2016

Sebab Perjanjian Inggeris-Belanda 1824

Reasons for Signing
1. Anglo-Dutch Rivalry over Trade in the East
  • Treaty aimed at removing prevailing commercial rivalry
  • Both were striving to control trade in SEA
  • This led to friction, discrimination and rivalry
  • Dutch policy of trade monopoly vs British belief in free trade aggravated situation

2. Question of Singapore
  • Friction peaked with the founding of Singapore by Raffles
  • Singapore proved its worth in a short time
  • With its strategic position and free port status, S’pore diverted much trade from Dutch ports  (Pontianak, Sambas, Sukadana, Batavia)
  • Dutch began to make claims to Singapore
  • Their argument : Singapore legally belonged to the Pro-Dutch Ruler, Sultan Abdul Rahman
  • Thus Raffles had no right to make a settlement there
  • Britain not prepared to give up Singapore

3. British Policy of Friendship with the Dutch
  • To counter French expansion in Europe
  • Both were not prepared to declare war on each other for political and financial reasons

BRITAIN
  • Holland was a vital line of defence
  • A stepping stone for French military operations against Britain in the Napoleonic Wars  (1793-181 5)
  • To prevent the French from doing so again, Britain had to obtain Dutch support against the French

HOLLAND

  • Owed Britain a huge debt; borrowed heavily from Britain during the war
  • Anxious not to antagonize the British
  • Thus requested Britain to open negotiations to settle outstanding disputes
  • Also to maintain Anglo-Dutch unity in Europe

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References:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dMawlVehQky_go5mz70BJ1bacOkweuDH4Xl4vQarzCU/preview

Perjanjian Inggeris-Belanda 1824 (Full treaty)

Implications

The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 officially divided the Malay world into two; Malaya, which was ruled by the United Kingdom and the Dutch East Indies, which was ruled by the Netherlands. The successor states of Malaya and Dutch East Indies are Malaysia and Indonesia, respectively. The line which separated the spheres of influence between the British and the Dutch ultimately became the border between Indonesian and Malaysia.

The treaty came at a time as the influence of the British East India Company was waning and the individual merchant was gaining more influence within Great Britain. The emphasis on territory and sphere of influence is consistent with former EIC policies in India and elsewhere, but even as the four-years long negotiations went on, the existence of Singapore strongly started to favor the new independent merchants and their houses. As this came at the heels of the termination of the monopoly the EIC had on the area, the subsequent rise of Singapore as a free port and the first example of the new British free-trade imperialism can be seen as a direct result on the confirmation of its status in the treaty.

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Article I

The high Contrasting Parties engage to admit the Subjects of each other to trade with their respective possessions in the Eastern Archipelago, and on the Continent of India, and in Ceylon, upon the footing of the most favoured Nation, their respective Subjects conforming themselves to the local Regulations if each Settlement.

Article II

The Subjects and Vessels of one Nation shall not pay, upon importation or exportation, at the Ports of the other in the Eastern Seas. Duty at a rate beyond the double of that at which Subjects and Vessels of the Nation to which the Port belongs are charged.

The Duties paid on exports or imports at a British Port on the Continent of India, or in Ceylon, on Dutch botooms (vessels) shall be arranged so as, in no case, to be charged at more than double the amount of the Duties paid by British Botooms

In regard to any article upon which no Duty is imposed, when imported or exported by the Subjects, or on the Vessels, of the Nation to which the Port belongs, the Duty charged upon the Subjects or Vessels of the other shall be in no case, exceed six per cent.

Article III

The High Contrasting Parties engage, that no Treaty hereafter made by Either, with Native Power in the Eastern Seas, shall contain any Article tending, either expressively, or by the imposition of unequal duties, to exclude the Trade of the other Party from the Ports of such Native Power; and that if any Treaty now existing on either Part any Article to that effect has been admitted, such Article shall be abrogated upon the conclusion of the present Treaty.

It is understood that before the conclusion of the present Treaty, communication has been made by each of the Contrasting Parties to the other, of all Treaties or Engagements subsisting between each of Them, respectively, and any Native Power in the Eastern Seas; and that the like communication shall be made of such Treaties concluded by Them, respectively, hereafter.

Article IV

Their Britannick and Netherland Majesties engage to give strict Orders as well as to Their Civil and Military Authorities, as to Their Ships of War, to respect the freedom of Trade, established by Articles I, II and III; and, in no case, to impede a free communication of the Natives in the Eastern Archipelago with the Ports of the Two Governments, respectively, or of the Subjects of the Two Governments with the Ports belonging to Native Powers.

Article V

Their Britannick and Netherland Majesties, in like manner, engage to concur affectually in repressing Piracy in those Seas; They do not grant either asylum or protection to Vessels engaged in Piracy, and They will, in no case, permit the Ships or merchandise captured by such Vessels, to be introduced, deposited, or sold, in any of their Possessions.

Article VI

It is agreed that Orders shall be given by the Two Governments to Their Officers and Agents in the East, not to form any new Settlements on any of the Islands in the Eastern Seas, without previous Authority from their respective Governments in Europe.

Article VII

The Moluccas Islands, and especially Amboyna , Banda, Ternate, and their Immediate Dependencies, are expected from the operation of the I, II, III, and IV Articles, until the Netherland Government shall think fit to abandon the monopoly of Spices; but if the said Government shall, at any time previous to such abandonment of the monopoly, allow the Subjects of any Power, other than Native Asiatic Power, to carry on any Commercial Intercourse with the said islands, the Subjects of His Britannick Majesty shall be admitted to such Intercourse, upon a footing previously similar.

Article VIII

His Netherland Majesty cedes to His Britannick Majesty all his establishments on India, and renounces all privileges and exemptions enjoyed or claimed in virtue of those Establishments.

Article IX

The Factory of Fort Marlborough and all the English Possessions on the Island of Sumatra, are herby ceded to His Netherland Majesty; and His Britannick Majesty further engages that no British Settlement shall be formed on that island, nor any Treaty concluded by British Authority, with any Native Prince, Chief, or State therein.

Article X

The Town and Fort of Malacca, and its Dependencies, are herby ceded to His Britannick Majesty; and His Netherland Majesty engage, for Himself and his subjects, never to Form any Establishments on any part of the Peninsular of Malacca, or to conclude any Treaty with any Native Press, or State therein.

Article XI

His Britannick Majesty withdraws any objections which have been made to the occupation of the Island of Billiton and its Dependencies, by the Agents of the Netherland Government.

Article XII

His Netherland Majesty withdraws the objections which have been made to the occupation of the Island of Singapore, by the Subjects of His Britannick Majesty.

His Britannick Majesty, however, engages, that no British Establishment shall be made on the Carimon Isles , or on the Island of Bantam, Bintang, Lingin, or on any of the other Islands South of the Straits of Singapore, nor any Treaty concluded by British Authority with the Chiefs of those Islands

Article XIII

All the Colonies, Possessions and Establishments which are ceded by the preceding Articles shall be delivered up to the Officers of the respective Sovereigns on the first of March, 1825. The Fortifications shall remain in the state in which they shall be at the period of the notification of this Treaty in India; but no claim shall be made, on either side, for ordinance, or stores of any description, either left or removed by the ceding power, nor for any arrears of revenues, or any charge of administration whatever.

Article XIV

All the Inhabitants of the Territories hereby ceded, shall enjoy, for a period of six years from the days of the Ratification of the present Treaty, the liberty of disposing, as they please of their property, and of transporting themselves, without let or hindrance, to any country to which they may wish to remove.

Article XV

The High Contrasting Parties agree that none of the Territories or Establishments mentioned in Articles VIII, IX, X, XI and XII shall be, any time, transferred to any other Power. In case of any of the said Possessions being abandoned by one of the present Contracting Parties, the right of occupation thereof shall immediately pass to the other.

Article XVI

It is agreed that all accounts and reclamations arising out of the restorations of Java, and other Possessions to the Officers of His Netherland Majesty in the East Indies – as well as those which were the subject of a Convention made at Java on the twenty-fourth of June, 1817, between the Commissioners of the Two Nations, as all others – shall be finally and completely closed and satisfied, on the payment of the sum of one hundred thousand pounds, sterling money, to be made in London on the part of the Netherlands, before the expiration of the Year 1825.

Article XVII

The present Treaty shall be ratified, and the Ratifications exchanged at London, within Three Months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible.

In witness whereof, the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and affixed thereunto the Seals of their Arms.

Done in London, the Seventeenth day of March, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Four.

(L.S.) George Canning (L.S.) Charles Watkin Williams Wynn


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References:
http://historyofbengkulu.blogspot.my/2008/07/anglo-dutch-treaty-of-1824.html

Summary of the 3 contracts related to Johor-Singapore


Summary of the first 5 contracts related to Kedah-Penang

Pentafsiran Sejarah

Image I got off the internet to explain pentafsiran sejarah. The story about the 6 blind man and the elephant helps students see that the same thing can come from many different perspectives.

Tuesday 12 January 2016

Sultan Hussein

Sultan Mahmud Shah III died in 1812 after reigning for more than fifty years. He named no heir formally. He left behind two sons by two different women, both of whom were of Buginese extraction. The older son, Hussein Shah stood the better chance of succeeding his father by primogeniture over his younger half-brother, Abdul Rahman. Hussein Shah, however, was away in Pahang when his father died.

The Bugis faction, led by the underking Yamtuan Muda Raja Ja'afar, supported Abdul Rahman as successor and hastily organised a coronation ceremony before Hussein Shah could return. Raja Ja'afar, in exchange for his support for Abdul Rahman (now Sultan), was appointed as Regent and wielded administrative authority. Hussein Shah was in Pahang, waiting for the monsoon winds to arrive, and was unaware of his brother's installation as the Sultan. Raja Ja'afar had written a letter to Hussein Shah, notifying him of Sultan Mahmud's death, but concealed his brother's ascension as the Sultan. Bendahara Tun Ali brought letters to Lingga, reporting Abdul Rahman's coronation during Hussein Shah's stay in Pahang. Hussein Shah sailed from Pahang to Lingga when the monsoon winds arrived, and was received by Sultan Abdul Rahman, who offered to abdicate in his favor. But he quickly backtracked after Raja Ja'afar made threats against Sultan Abdul Rahman. Hussein Shah remained in exile in the Riau Islands.

Questions pertaining to the legitimacy of Sultan Abdul Rahman's reign were raised; the royal regalia were still in the hands of Engku Putri Hamidah, the primary consort of the late Sultan, who had stated her support for Tengku Hussein as successor. In addition, Hussein Shah also had the support of the Temenggongs and Malay nobles, which made the prospect of putting a legitimate successor in place difficult.

Sultan Abdul Rahman devoted himself increasingly to religion; he had delegated all administrative duties to Raja Ja'afar by the time William Farquhar approached the Sultan to secure an alliance with the British in an attempt to reduce Dutch influence in the region.

The British successfully sidelined Dutch political influence by proclaiming Hussein Shah as the Sultan of Johor and Singapore. Hussein Shah's claim to be Sultan of Johor and Singapore was by all accounts not recognised by the Malay rulers and was only a nominal title. Temenggong Abdul Rahman's position, on the other hand, was strengthened as the signing of the treaties detached him the influence of Raja Ja'afar.

In the later part of his reign, growing British influence induced some Malay nobles, particularly Bendahara Ali, to recognize Sultan Hussein Shah. Sultan Abdul Rahman, who had devoted himself to religion, became contented with his political sphere of influence in Lingga, where his family continued to maintain his household under the administrative direction of Raja Ja'afar,  who ruled under the auspices of the Dutch. However, unresolved legal ambiguity in the legitimacy various local affairs, such as the status of Johor and Pahang. These were de jure possessions of Sultan Abdul Rahman and his successors, yet the 1824 treaty barred him as a Dutch vassal from exerting political authority over Johor and Pahang. In the light of these circumstances, the Temenggong and Bendahara increasingly exerted their independent authority. Also, largely as a result of the strong British influence in the Malay Peninsula, the continuously changing political dynamics gradually relegated these legitimacy disputes to irrelevance.

Sultan Hussein on his part, did not pursue any active claim to his sovereignty rights over Johor, even after Temenggong Abdul Rahman died in 1825, and his successor, Temenggong Ibrahim was still a youth at the time.

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References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussein_Shah_of_Johor

Sunday 10 January 2016

The Founding of Penang

Read more here: http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/straits1.htm

Sultan Abdullah, Francis Light and Penang

Sultan Abdullah Mukarran Shah II (1778 - 1797)

note: Did you know Sultan Abdullah is Francis Light's father-in-law?

In accordance with an agreement (Perjanjian Inggeris-Kedah 1786), the Company was to pay Sultan Abdullah S$30,000 a year. Unfortunately for the Sultan, the EIC's new governor-general Charles Cornwallis firmly stated that he could not be party to the Sultan's disputes with other Malay princes, or promise to protect him from the Burmese or Siamese. However, Light concealed the facts from both parties, and established a port in Penang on August 11, 1786.

For the next five years, Light tried to stall with the Sultan. The Sultan suspected that SHTI reneged on the agreement, but failed to drive them out.

Nov 1787: Siam made another demand, for $30,000, arms, and food supplies for 20,000 soldiers. The sultan, desperate, tried to get help from the French in Pondicherry but the French declined. He turned to the Dutch for help but the Dutch also declined. Upset, he lined up 400 perahus and 120 guns around Penang, and held British merchandise worth $30,000 in Kuala Kedah. He now demanded that Light pay him $10,000. Light complied, paid the sultan $10,000, and said he would write to Calcutta once more.

1791: Still no reply from Calcutta, Sultan Abdullah resolved to take Penang by force. Light, not wanting to find, sent $5,000 as "compensation for the delay". But this time Sultan Abdullah returned the money. He has "had it" with British promises. Now he wanted Penang back. In the fight, Light was at an advantage, with better weapons, so he forced the sultan's troops to a retreat.


The 1791 agreement (Perjanjian Persahabatan dan Keamanan Inggeris-Kedah) gave the sultan an annual payment of S$6,000, and no role in future governance of the island. To encourage the razing of the densely forested island, Light fired coins from a cannon into the undergrowth.

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References:
http://www.penang-traveltips.com/biography-of-captain-francis-light.htm
http://sejarahnagarakedah.blogspot.my/2007/11/sultan-muhammad-jiwa-1710-1778.html

Siam vs Burma

Second Burmese Wars

August 1765: 20,000-strong northern Burmese army invade northern Siam, and joined in by three southern armies of over 20,000 in October

January 1766: Burmese armies overcome numerically superior but poorly coordinated Siamese defences, and converge before the Siamese capital.

March 1767: King Ekkathat of Siam offers to become a tributary but the Burmese demands an unconditional surrender.

7 April 1767: the Burmese sacks the starving city for the second time in history.

November 1767: China invades Burma with their largest force yet, finally convincing King Hsinbyushin to withdraw his forces from Siam.

1770: Siamese Civil War; Taksin, King of Thonburi, emerges victor and unites Siam.


1782: King Rama I takes the throne of Siam after defeating a rebellion which had deposed King Taksin of Thonburi. (side note: King Rama established the Chakri dynasty, that still rules Thailand today)

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References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese%E2%80%93Siamese_War_(1765%E2%80%9367)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakri_Dynasty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama_I

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese%E2%80%93Siamese_War_(1785%E2%80%9386)