British Intervention in Perak

• British Malaya serves as a case study for colonialism.

British Presence in Malaya (Pre-1870)

• The British East India Company aimed to set up trading posts by signing treaties.
• This was to protect trade routes between China and India.
• Traders were allowed to resupply and repair ships.
• They could wait for good winds and trade goods like local and European products.
• Penang: a trading port was established by the British East India Company in 1786.
• The Sultan of Kedah granted the port.
• The British gave protection against Siam (Thailand).
• Protecting commerce from piracy was part of the agreement.
• Straits Settlements: formed in 1826, consisting of Melaka, Penang, and Singapore.
• These settlements were governed by a British Governor to cut costs and boost trade.
• The early British presence in Malaya was limited.

British Presence in Malaya (Post-1870)

Historical Conditions and Trade

• Industrial Revolution: machine-made goods were produced in the late 19th century.
• This required a steady supply of raw materials.
• Tin was initially too expensive to produce.
• Large tin deposits were found in some Malay States.
• Disorder in tin-mining areas threatened the supply.
• The British intervened in local politics to protect interests.
• Suez Canal opening in 1869: reduced travel time between Britain and Malaya.
• The reduction was from 4 months to 6 weeks.
• This increased trade in South East Asia and globally, which encouraged European expansion.
• The British needed new bases to protect shipping and combat piracy.

Competition and Reaction

• The Long Depression (1873–1896) caused Britain to slowly lose world economic dominance.
• Britain seized territories to protect trade links.
• Other European powers (French, Dutch) wanted to expand influence and trade.
• Britain's reaction was one of concern and fear.
• Lack of intervention in the Malay States could allow other European countries to threaten economic interests.
• Failure to respond to requests from local Malay rulers could drive them to seek help from other Europeans.

Change in Colonial Policy

• Pre-1873: the Government believed in free trade.
• They were disinterested in overseas possessions due to administration costs.
• Post-1873: The new Government wanted to boost Britain's prestige through colonialism.
• They were also keen to preempt any threats from other powers.

Developments in Local Circumstances

Succession Disputes

• Succession Disputes: After a King died, the eldest son was not automatically the next king.
• Rulers often had many wives, leading to competition among sons.
• The rotation process in Perak complicated succession.
• Heirs were rotated among the descendants of 3 royal families.
• The successor had to go through a series of appointments before becoming Sultan.
• The appointments were Raja di Hilir, Raja Bendahara, and Raja Muda.
• The rotation system ensured that sons from all 3 families could become Sultans.
• It also ensured that only those with administrative experience came to the throne.
• Sultan Ali died in 1871, and Raja Muda was expected to take over.
• Malay Custom: the next sultan had to be at the funeral to receive royal regalia and acknowledgements.
• Raja Abdullah didn’t go to the funeral because he feared travelling through Raja Yusuf’s territory.
• He lost his claim to the throne.
• Raja Ismail became Sultan of Perak.
• Raja Abdullah and Yusuf challenged him.

Larut Wars

• Large tin deposits were discovered in Larut in the 1840s, creating job opportunities.
• A large influx of Chinese laborers came from Penang and South China into Larut, Perak.
• Frequent clashes occurred between two groups of Chinese Miners in Larut in the 1840s.
• Secret societies fought for control over existing and discovered mining plots and waterways.
• There was no clear boundary of who owned what.
• The two main groups were Ghee Hins (Cantonese) and Hai Sans (Hakkas).
• Ghee Hins mainly controlled mines around Kamunting, while Hai Sans controlled mines around Taiping.
• First Larut War (1861):
  • Hai Sans cut off a water supply to a new mine discovered by the Ghee Hins.
  • The Ghee Hins were defeated and sought help from the British Governor in Penang.
  • The Governor intervened, and Ngah Ibrahim agreed to compensate the Ghee Hins.
• Second Larut War (1865):
  • Hai Sans attacked the Ghee Hins. They were still angry with the British for supporting them (for 4 years).
  • The Ghee Hins lost and fled to Penang.
  • The Governor refused to help.
  • Fighting spread to Penang, resulting in the Penang Riots of 1867.
  • A settlement occurred after the British fined everyone 5000 Spanish Dollars.
• Third Larut War (1872):
  • A scandal between a Ghee Hin Leader and wife of the Hai San leader led to war.
  • Hai Sans were driven out because Ghee Hins hired professional fighters.
• The Governor refused to take action.
• Hai Sans reattacked the Ghee Hins.
• Fourth Larut War (1873):
  • Raja Abdullah needed the help of the Ghee Hins.
  • He promised to give them back the mines and pay for the war against the Hai Sans.
  • A major Civil War broke out in Larut Area in 1873.

Pangkor Treaty

• In view of the civil war in Perak in 1873, local businessmen appealed to the British.
• They wanted the British to intervene and restore law and order in the Malay States.
• This culminated in the signing of the Pangkor Treaty on 20 Jan 1874.
• The British recognised Raja Abdullah as Sultan of Perak.
• Raja Ismail was offered a title and Pension.
• A British Resident was introduced in Perak to "advise" the Sultan on:
  • Revenue collection.
  • General administration of Perak.

Residential System in Perak

• The Pangkor Treaty started British indirect rule in Perak.
• The system worked through the appointment of a resident.
• The first Resident of Perak was James W. W. Birch.

Duties and Challenges of the Resident

• The role involved maintaining Justice and Order.
• However, no guidelines were given.
• Revenue collection and control was a key aspect.
• There was no Police force or army available to enforce orders.
• The resident was to administer the state by advising the Sultan on matters related to law, order and economic development.
• There was no formal authority to run the state.
• There were difficulties getting the Sultan and chiefs to change their ways.
• The Sultan remained ruler, in charge of Malay Customs, tradition and religion.
• The Sultan was the center of state occasions and ceremonies.
• Healthy relations with Sultan and Malay Chiefs were needed for the system to work.

Murder of Birch

• Birch was speared to death by a Malay Chief Maharaja Lela on 2 Nov 1875, upon arriving in Pasir Salak for a tour of the state.
• The policies Birch tried to implement included:
  • Removing Malay ruling powers to collect taxes.
  • Banning of Debt Slavery.
  • Introducing a Code of Civil and Criminal Law.
• Personal Weaknesses:
  • Birch could not speak Malay.
  • Birch did not understand Malay customs and practices.
  • Birch came across as arrogant and complacent.

Transformation of Malaya after British Intervention in 1874

Political

• Stabilization of Malay Rule:
  • The Perak State Council was established.
  • It comprised the Sultan (as President), the Resident & Assistant Resident, 2 Malay chiefs, and 2 Chinese and British representatives.
  • All matters relating to the states development were discussed.
  • The aim was to give the Sultan and his chiefs a say in governing the state.
• Formation of Courts of Justice:
  • European magistrates assisted by Malay magistrates.
  • Perak was divided into districts, further divided into villages with their own village headmen.
  • Village headmen were to keep the peace, settle minor disputes, report accidents, and collect taxes.
• The duty of revenue collection was transferred to the Resident & his assistants.
• The Sultan & his chiefs supported because they received compensation.
• Laws to regulate land use and register land titles were passed.
• State revenue increased via land sale & tax collection.
• Work was done with Raja Yusuf and Raja Idris to restore peace and order.
• Debt slavery abolition:
  • Steps to abolish debt slavery, through compensating slave owners, were put in place.
  • Debt slavery was abolished in 1884.
• Establishment of Federated Malay States (FMS):
  • Formed in 1896, comprising Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan & Pahang.
  • Residents reported to a Resident-General based in KL (Frank Swettenham was the first).
• This decreased Sultans' involvement because of the following factors:
  • Centralisation of power under the Federal Government and Resident-General.
  • Malay Sultans and chiefs managed Malay customs & religion.
  • There was damage done to the traditional power of the Sultans and Malay chiefs.
  • It benefitted the British as it strengthened their grip over Malaya.
• Consolidation of British control in the Unfederated Malay States:
  • In 1909, Britain and Siam signed the Bangkok Treaty:
    • Siam transferred its rights in the northern Malay states to the British.
    • Britain took on the debts of the 4 northern Malay states.
    • Siam was given a 4 million pound loan to construct railways.
    • Sultans could no longer grant economic concessions as they wished.
  • A British Advisor was appointed in 1914.
  • The appointee took control of all state matters in Johor.
  • The exception was those relating to Malay religion & customs).

Economic

• Reversal of Perak's debt situation:
  • Hugh Low settled the state's debt of 800,000 Straits dollars in 6 years.
  • By 1889, the state had annual revenue of $2 million.
  • The state had a surplus balance.
  • Revenue enabled Low to carry out reforms during his residency.
• Economic Growth:
  • The tin industry flourished because of better tin-mining methods and encouragement by foreign investment.
• Low used his friendship with a Chinese leader.
• Chinese miners in Perak adopted modern British mining equipment.
• Large tin mining companies were owned by Europeans by 1898.
  • They could purchase equipment like tin dredges.
  • They were aided by political stability and higher regulatory standards of the FMS + Chinese labour.
• By 1900 FMS became the world's largest producer of tin.
• Tin exports rose from 26,000 tonnes in 1889 to 70,000 tonnes in 1929.
• Rubber Industry:
  • European Businessmen funded the industry, and invested in large plantation estates.
• They introduced modern production methods.
• Rubber was more profitable.
• Size of rubber estates in Malaya grew from 345 acres in 1897 to 50,000 acres in 1905.
• Change in the Nature of Malaya's economy:
  • The change was from a Subsistence-Based Economy to an Export-Oriented Economy.
    • People initially just consumed what they grew.
    • There were no crops for export.
  • The British supplied cash crops & raw materials overseas.
  • People depended on wages based on the prices of exported goods.
• Development of infrastructure:
  • New roads, bridges & railways to connect the tin mines and rubber plantations were built.
  • 1885: 1st railway line opened, allowing trains to operate between towns & plantations.
  • Railway lines developed better due to the formation of the FMS .
  • By 1896: 4 railway lines supported the industries.
  • The industries created jobs, rapidly growing towns.
• Standardisation of currencies:
  • The British Currency Board standardized/regulated Malaya's currencies from 1899.
  • It was the only body that could issue notes.
  • It issued Straits dollar notes.
  • The Straits Dollar was the Settlement's exclusive legal currency in 1904.
  • It was adopted in Malay states controlled by the British, making trade easier.

Social

• Growth of Plural Societies & Townships:
  • Malaya's ethnic composition changed due to migration policy.
  • There were little restrictions on entering Malaya to work/trade/live.
  • First plural societies were laid down.
  • More female immigrants were allowed.
  • Migrants started their families.
  • Social Participation increased in the 1920s and 1930s.
• Improvement in Health Conditions:
  • British officials knew of Western medicine.
  • The tin-mining & rubber industries funded disease research.
  • The setup of Sanitary Boards happened in the late 19th century.
  • In regards to regulations: - Drainage. - Food Cleanliness. - Building ventilation design. - Waste disposal.
  • Colonial governments built hospitals in towns to support charitable organisations.
  • Health remained poor in Northern & Eastern Peninsula.
• Increased Western education:
  • Government ran schools to develop a group of English-speaking locals.
  • This was to meet the demand for clerks: - It secured government & commercial employment. - Attendees could study overseas.
  • It created an elite group with different ideas/aspirations.
  • Western education was only available to: - Aristocrats. - Wealthy families.
  • It gave opportunities for intermingling.
  • It opened professions e.g. law & medicine.
  • It had a system of free, compulsory education for the Malays. - Syllabuses leaned towards agriculture. - They did not prepare the Malays for society.

Impact of British Intervention

• The system was uneven, and varied between communities.
• Colonisation may not be harmful: - Mutually Beneficial relationships. - Introductions to improve lives.
• It may be that there was an overfocus on economics.

Local Responses to British Rule

• With the Perak War as an exception, the relationship with Malay rulers was largely peaceful.
• Malay Sultans benefitted from British Policies.
• British Policies: - Maintained symbolic Prestige. - Secured positions against enemies. - Offered sufficient/generous income. - Good relations maintained. - Respected the language and culture.
• Aristocrats
  • Could maintain authority.
  • Could keep their wealth.
  • Served Colonial Admin
• Rural Malays
  • Had Village Headmen/Chiefs
  • Had little contact and little change.
  • Culture followed.
• Chinese: - Worked as a way of survival/did not care for politics. - Wealthy and prominent formed British ties. - Businesses kept running.
• Indians - Followed India and benefited from the law and order system.
• Nationalism did not really exist.

Explore the challenges faced by the British Resident in Perak, including policy implementation, administrative restructuring, and revenue enhancement. Understand the tensions leading to Birch's murder, the role of village headmen, and Hugh Low's efforts to resolve Perak's debt.