Pangkor Engagement, 1874

PERAK

PERAK

1. Perak was a MAJOR TIN PRODUCER throughout 19th century

2. Britain which had already colonised Penang, Malacca and Singapore, to consider Perak of significant importance.

3. However, occurred the Larut Wars, four series wars (1861 - 1874), which involved the local Malay elites and clashes between Chinese Secret Societies (Ghee Hin & Hai San) that disrupted the supply of tin from the mines of Perak

• In 1871, Sultan Ali of Perak died. However, Raja Abdullah, the heir apparent, had not been present at his funeral.

• Raja Bendahara Sultan Ismail was proclaimed Sultan of Perak instead.

• At the same time, two Chinese secret societies, Ghee Hin (led by Chin Ah Yam) and Hai San (led by Chung Keng Quee), constantly waged battle against each other over control of the tin mines.

• Raja Muda Abdullah drafted a letter to Governor Sir Andrew Clarke to solve these problems.

Pangkor Engagement, 1874

British Intervention in Perak:

• Andrew Clarke arranged a meeting with Perak chiefs & Chinese leaders.

  • He sent W.A. Pickering to Larut to persuade the Chinese leaders to allow the British to settle their quarrels

  • He sent Frank Swettenham to invite the Malay Chiefs to a meeting.

• On 15 January 1874, the Malay chiefs; Ngah Ibrahim, Raja Abdullah, Laksamana, Shahbandar and as well as the Chinese miners arrived at Pangkor Island.

• On 19 January 1874, Pangkor Engagement was drawn up in English and translated into Malay.

• Chinese Leaders met Andrew Clarke on board the ship, Pluto.

• Both party agreed to settle their disputes and disarm their war boats.

• They signed the Chinese Engagement to end their disputes and keep peace under the penalty of a fine $50,000

• The agreement was signed on morning 20^th January 1874.

Chinese Engagement

• Raja Abdullah to be recognised as the Sultan of Perak

• Raja Ismail was to be given the title of Sultan Muda, with a monthly pension of $1,000 & a certain small territory assigned to him

• Ngah Ibrahim was to remain Menteri of Larut but not an independence ruler (obey to Sultan of Perak).

• The Chief of Larut was to accept an Assistant Residents

Terms of Pangkor Engagement:

• Sultan Abdullah was to accept a British Resident.

• The Resident was to be paid by the Sultan for his service as his chief advisor regarding all matters of administration except those touching on Malay customs and Islam religion.

• The collection and control of all revenues was to be taken charge by the Resident.

Note: Sultan Ismail did not attend the meeting as he was not informed in advance. Raja Yusof was also not present, he was not invited at all.

Terms of Pangkor Engagement: (continued)

Multiple Choice

What was Perak rich in resources?

• Spices

• Coal

• Rubber

• Tin

Multiple Choice

Which Chinese secret societies involved in war gang?

• Ghee Han & Chin San

• Ghee Hin & Hai San

• Lee Han & Chin San

• Ghee Hin & Lee Han

Multiple Choice

What was the name of the war which extend to four series of wars?

• Larut Wars

• Civil Wars

• Turf Gang Wars

• Pangkor Wars

Multiple Choice

In what year did Sultan Ali of Perak died?

• 1871

• 1872

• 1873

• 1874

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was the successor of Sultan Ali of Perak?

• Raja Yusof

• Raja Ismail

• Raja Abdullah

• Ngah Ibrahim

Multiple Choice

Which British official receive a letter of help from Raja Abdullah?

• Sir William Jervois

• Sir Hugh Low

• Sir Andrew Clarke

• Sir James Brooke

Multiple Choice

Which Raja was given the title Sultan Muda under Pangkor Engagement?

• Raja Abdullah

• Raja Ismail

• Raja Yusuf

• Ngah Ibrahim

Multiple Choice

Who will pay the salary of the resident?

• British government

• State Council

• Local Chiefs

• Sultan

Multiple Choice

Who will collect and control the State revenue?

• Resident

• Sultan

• State council

• British government

Multiple Choice

In what year did the Larut War started?

• 1860

• 1861

• 1862

• 1863

Effects of the Pangkor Engagement

• The Sultan and Malay Chiefs were unaware of their loss of power

• The Treaty had created two Sultans of Perak

• The independence of the Mentri of Larut was ignored

​The Pangkor Engagement

• The Chinese miners were satisfied and settled down to peaceful mining

• They abided by the decisions of the government commission when quarrels arose

• According to the agreement, weapons were given up, stockades were destroyed and prisoners released

The Chinese Engagement

​The Residential System

The Features of the Residential System

• Sir Andrew Clarke and Sir Frederick Weld were largely responsible for carrying out the policy of British Intervention in the Malay States of PERAK,SELANGOR, PAHANG & N. SEMBILAN (1874 - 1895).

• It was a Pangkor Treaty which introduced the idea of Residential System

• The Residential System was a system of British Indirect rule in Malay States that had accepted British protection

The Features of the Residential System (continued)

• According to the Pangkor Treaty, the Resident was to advise Sultan on all matters of administration and government except those concerning Malay customs and Islamic religion

• The Sultan remained as HEAD OF STATE and the local chiefs were to carry out whatever changes the Resident wanted to make.

• The Resident was not to rule but advice.