the british intervention of malaya

BRITISH INTERVENTION IN THE MALAY BRITISH INTERVENTION IN THE MALAY STATESSTATES the policy of non-interventionthe policy of non-intervention reasons for the change to a policy of reasons for the change to a policy of interventionintervention case study : British intervention in Perak case study : British intervention in Perak 18741874 the Pangkor Engagementthe Pangkor Engagement

Policy of Non-InterventionPolicy of Non-Intervention EIC was a trading company; only wanted to

make great profits through peaceful trading Did not want to interfere in local politics which might

embroil them in war and unnecessary expenditure EIC busy developing its possessions in India Abolition of trade monopoly in 1834 brought

other European traders into the area; reduced the company’s profits

Policy of InterventionPolicy of Intervention

Increase in demand for tin & other raw materials Need for markets to buy British goods Need for new fields of investment Anarchy in the Malay states Change in British policy of non-intervention Opening of the Suez Canal & increased European

interest in the East Fear of European rivals

Increase in demand for tin & other Increase in demand for tin & other raw materialsraw materials

Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution Development of the tin-canning industryDevelopment of the tin-canning industry Malay states were very rich in tinMalay states were very rich in tin To ensure supply of tin, Britain need to To ensure supply of tin, Britain need to

extend their control over the Malay statesextend their control over the Malay states

Need for new markets to buy Need for new markets to buy British goodsBritish goods

Industrial Revolution and large-scale Industrial Revolution and large-scale productionproduction

New territories would become new markets New territories would become new markets for British goodsfor British goods

Need for new fields of investmentNeed for new fields of investment

Lost of EIC monopoly of the China tradeLost of EIC monopoly of the China trade Straits merchant lost much there & looked Straits merchant lost much there & looked

elsewhere to invest elsewhere to invest Malay states ideal because of agricultural & Malay states ideal because of agricultural &

mineral wealth potentialmineral wealth potential Wanted British govt intervention in these Wanted British govt intervention in these

states to bring about law & order so that they states to bring about law & order so that they can invest safely in the tin mines & plantationscan invest safely in the tin mines & plantations

Anarchy in the Malay StatesAnarchy in the Malay States

CausesCauses 1.1. Succession disputesSuccession disputes

rival claimants to the thronerival claimants to the throne

2.2. Wars between secret societiesWars between secret societies fighting for control of tin minesfighting for control of tin mines

3.3. Piracy off the coast affected tradePiracy off the coast affected trade Investors in the tin-mining states appealed to Investors in the tin-mining states appealed to

British govt for protectionBritish govt for protection

Change in British Policy of Non-Change in British Policy of Non-interventionintervention

1. Value of British investment in the Malay states

British interest in Malay states needed protection to prosper

Estimated that trade in Malaya about £3 million a year and it was largely British capital that finance this trade

Thus the British government was prepared to consider a new policy


2. Change in British attitudeLord Kimberley appointed Secretary of State for

the Colonies in 1870Belonged to a new breed of British politiciansBelieved Britain had a responsibility to spread

the benefits of its rule worldwide1873 : Sir Andrew Clarke appointed as Governor

of the Straits Settlements


““whether any steps can be taken to whether any steps can be taken to promote the restoration of peace and promote the restoration of peace and order to secure protection to trade and order to secure protection to trade and commerce”commerce”

““it would be advisable to appoint a British it would be advisable to appoint a British officer to reside in any of the states”officer to reside in any of the states”

Led to the introduction of British ResidentsBritish Residents in Malaya


3. Change of government in Britain in 1873

Conservative Party ; Benjamin Disraeli

favoured imperialism to boost British prestige

“Forward Policy” - extend British control over more colonies overseas

Suez Canal & European Interest in Suez Canal & European Interest in the Eastthe East

Suez Canal & European Interest in Suez Canal & European Interest in the Eastthe East

Trade increased between East & West increased with the opening of the Suez Canal

Trade passed through friendly or occupied areas except Malaya; route could be threatened

Britain-Gibraltar-Malta-Aden-India-Burma-Straits of Malacca-Hong Kong-China

Straits of Malacca became more important Strong possibility and growing fear that other European

powers would want to make Malaya their colony

Fear of European rivalsFear of European rivals

Francespreading control in Indo-china

Hollandexpanding into Indonesia

Spainestablished in the Philippines

Fear of European rivalsFear of European rivals

Russia looking for new colonieslooking for new colonies

Germany after reunification in 1871, desperately looking after reunification in 1871, desperately looking

for colonies in the Eastfor colonies in the East RumoursRumours

Germany negotiating bases in P Langkawi and Germany negotiating bases in P Langkawi and northern Malaynorthern Malay

many German business companies in S’poremany German business companies in S’pore

Take a breakTake a breakRelax, lah!Relax, lah!

CASE STUDY :CASE STUDY :British Intervention in Perak 1874British Intervention in Perak 1874

Discovery of tin in Larut The First Larut War 1861 The Second Larut War 1865 The Third Larut War 1872 The Perak Succession Dispute The Fourth Larut War 1873 Raja Abdullah’s Letter to the Governor

Perak, known as the "Silver State", (perak means silver), used to be one of the richest states in Malaysia.

The state capital is IpohIpoh, chiefly an industrial centre which became known as "The City of Millionaires" when many miners made their fortunes in the nearby tin mines around a hundred years ago.

The city has a predominantly Chinese population, and is the third largest urban area in the country.

Perak was one of Malaysia’s wealthiest states until the world-wide recession in the late Eighties took its toll on the state.

The collapse of the world's tin industry (Perak’s main source of revenue) led to tin prices falling sharply and mines had be to closed, forcing Perak to reconsider its future socio-economic strategies.

Since then, the Perak State Government has taken a firm and brave decision to diversify the economy’s base away from basic industries towards more value added, resource linked manufacturing.

TOUR

PERAK in the 1860sPERAK in the 1860s

many internal troubles succession quarrels in the Perak royal

house wars among Chinese tin miners in LarutLarut disruption by piracy

LarutLarut Malaysia's oldest and smallest

hill resort is Maxwell Hill or Bukit Larut, approximately 9 km from Taiping in Perak. It is approximately 1,035 m above sea level and is blessed with a cool temperature and beautiful natural surroundings. Visitors have often remarked upon its striking resemblance to summers in Switzerland.

Discovery of Tin in LarutDiscovery of Tin in Larut

1848 : Long JaafarLong Jaafar discovered rich deposits of tin in Larut

He invited Chinese miners from Penang to work the mines in Larut

Tin mining very successful - Sultan made Long Jaafar the Chief of LarutChief of Larut

Succeeded by his son Ngah IbrahimNgah Ibrahim in 1857

Secret Societies in LarutSecret Societies in Larut

Hai Sun Secret SocietyHai Sun Secret Society mostly Hakkas occupied an area in Taiping

Ghee Hin Secret SocietyGhee Hin Secret Society mostly Cantonese finding the best mines in Taiping occupied, they moved to

Kamunting

Secret Societies in LarutSecret Societies in Larut

Initially contented with their own mining operations, they were soon overcome with greed and jealousy

Fought over mining claims and control of water courses so necessary for tin mining

The First Larut War 1861The First Larut War 1861

First open clash in July 1861 over the control of a water course

The First Larut War ended with Ngah Ibrahim becoming the richest and most powerful chief in Perak

The Second Larut War 1865The Second Larut War 1865

Both sides were unhappy and required a small incident to spark off another clash

this time, it was over a gambling quarrel involved other Chinese and Malay secret societies Both sides forced to come to terms only because they were

exhausted a temporary period of calm followed

The Third Larut War 1872The Third Larut War 1872

The third war was the result of a scandal between the Ghee Hin leader and the wife of a relative of the Hai San leader

It was at this time that Raja Abdullah took the side of the Ghee Hins

Raja Abdullah was a claimant to the throne of Perak and an enemy of Ngah Ibrahim

The war between Chinese miners was now a civil war involving Malay chiefs of Perak

The Perak Succession DisputeThe Perak Succession Dispute

From 1871, there was dispute over who the Sultan should be 3 candidates : Raja Yusof, Raja Ismail & Raja AbdullahRaja Yusof, Raja Ismail & Raja Abdullah Each had his own supporters who would not accept either of the

other candidates When Raja Ismail succeeded in making himself Sultan, Raja

Abdullah refused to accept this Sided with the Ghee Hins as we have seen to gain their support

The Fourth Larut War 1873The Fourth Larut War 1873

Counterattack by Ghee Hin Situation in Perak became chaotic Malay chiefs embroiled in the war were alarmed at the disorder

created by the secret societies Straits merchants complaints to Sir Harry Ord fell on deaf ears;

policy of non-intervention Sir Andrew ClarkeSir Andrew Clarke, new Governor of the Straits Settlements soon

launched a policy of intervention

Raja Abdullah’s Letter to the Raja Abdullah’s Letter to the GovernorGovernor

30 Dec 1873 - Raja Abdullah wrote a letter to Sir Andrew Clarke asking for “a man of sufficient abilities to …… show us a good system of government”

William Pickering THE CHINESE PROTECTOR sent to Larut to persuade the warring Chinese to accept British arbitration

Frank Swettenham LATER RESIDENT OF SELANGOR AND PERAK sent to invite Malay chiefs to a meeting at Pulau Pangkor

THE PANGKOR THE PANGKOR ENGAGEMENTENGAGEMENT

Terms of the Pangkor Engagement

Consequences of the Pangkor Engagement

PANGKORPANGKOR

The Chinese EngagementThe Chinese Engagement

The Chinese leaders agreed to British arbitration, to disarm their warboats and to sign a written agreement

The Chinese Engagement was signed on board the ship Pluto

Terms of the Pangkor EngagementTerms of the Pangkor Engagement

Raja AbdullahRaja Abdullah recognized as Sultan of Perak

Raja IsmailRaja Ismail Title of Sultan Muda; monthly pension of $1,000 and a small

territory assigned to him

Ngah IbrahimNgah Ibrahim Remained Mentri of Larut but not as an independent ruler Asst Resident to advise him on admin of Larut


British ResidentBritish Resident Sultan Abdullah was to accept a British Resident who was paid

by the Sultan His advice must be asked and accepted on all matters of

administration Exception : those concerning Malay customs, traditions and

religion The Resident was to be given a place of residence


RevenueRevenue Malay chiefs lost the right to collect revenue Resident now in charge of collection and control of all revenues Malay chiefs no longer allowed to collect taxes Would be given pensions instead

Consequences of the Pangkor Consequences of the Pangkor EngagementEngagement

The Chinese Engagement Satisfactory division of the tinfields Leaders of both sides agreed to keep peace Accept decisions of the govt commission set up to settle

disputes between the two parties To the Chinese, this was a satisfactory arrangement Tired of warfare and wanted to settle down to business of

mining tin


The Malay Chiefs The signing of the Pangkor Engagement was carried out too

quickly for them to realise the full implications of the treaty They did not realize it meant a loss of powerloss of power as Sultan

Abdullah must act on the advice of the Resident Even Abdullah himself was mistaken that he could take advice

only if he wished to Did not fully understand the terms of the treaty; difficulty of

translation


Article VI (Eng Version)

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 must be asked and acted uponasked and acted upon on all questions other than those touching Malay Religion and Custom.

Article VI (translated Malay Version)

That the Sultan receive and provide a suitable residential house for one officer….. whose title shall be British Resident. The Sultan of Perak shall have to consult with him on all matters and the working of Perak State except that he cannot interfere with Muslim religious affairs and Malay Custom


The Malay Chiefs The treaty created two Sultans of Peraktwo Sultans of Perak Ismail refused to accept the title of Sulatan Muda or the

pension

Ngah IbrahimNgah Ibrahim Clarked ignored the fact that Ngah Inbrahim was recognized as the

independent ruler of Larut by Ord. Cpt Speedy was now Asst Resident


Sir Andrew ClarkeSir Andrew Clarke exceeded his instructions and authority He claimed this was necessary to maintain peace

and protect British interests He was not reprimanded

strong support from new government in England Secretary of State for Colonies Business community of the Straits Settlements

Importance of the Pangkor Importance of the Pangkor EngagementEngagement

The agreement was a historic one which marked the beginning of the Residential SystemResidential System in Malaya The Residential System was one of indirect rule The Sultan remained Head of State, but he must accept the

advice of the British Resident in all matters of administration and government

Extended to the states of Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Pahang

BRITISH INTERVENTION IN THE MALAY BRITISH INTERVENTION IN THE MALAY STATESSTATES the policy of non-interventionthe policy of non-intervention reasons for the change to a policy of reasons for the change to a policy of

interventionintervention case study : British intervention in Perak case study : British intervention in Perak

18741874 the Pangkor Engagementthe Pangkor Engagement

Teluk Intan Leaning TowerThe pride of Teluk Intan, 84 km from Ipoh, is its spectacular Leaning Tower. Reminiscent of the leaning Tower of Pisa, this pagoda-like structure was built in 1885 by a Chinese contractor, Leong Choon Choong. The dominating 25.5 metre tower was once used for water storage.

the british intervention of malaya

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