British colonialism Perak

sultan abdullah of perak

in 19th century, bugis, acehnese, , siamese attempted invade perak, , british intervention in 1820 prevented siam annexing perak. although british reluctant establish colonial presence in malaya, increasing investment in tin mines brought great influx of chinese immigrants, including foo ming, formed rival clan groups allied malay chiefs , local gangsters fought control of mines. perak sultanate unable maintain order embroiled in protracted succession crisis.

in book golden chersonese , way thither (published 1892 g.p. putnam s sons), victorian traveller , adventurer isabella lucy bird (1831–1904) describes how raja muda abdullah (as was) turned friend in singapore, tan kim ching. tan, english merchant in singapore, drafted letter governor sir andrew clarke abdullah signed. letter expressed abdullah s desire place perak under british protection, , have man of sufficient abilities show (him) system of government. in 1874, straits settlements governor sir andrew clarke convened meeting on pulau pangkor, @ sultan abdullah installed on throne of perak in preference rival, sultan ismail. pangkor treaty required sultan of perak accept british resident, post granted wide administrative powers.

in 1875, various perak chiefs assassinated british resident james w. w. birch, resulting in short-lived perak war of 1876. sultan abdullah exiled seychelles, , british installed new ruler. new resident, sir hugh low, well-versed in malay language , local customs, , proved more capable administrator. introduced first rubber trees in malaya. perak joined selangor, negeri sembilan , pahang form federated malay states in 1896. however, british resident system persisted until malayan union established in 1948. perak (as component of federation of malaya) gained independence british on 31 august 1957.