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ThePerak War (1875–1876) took place between British and local forces inPerak, a state in northwesternMalaysia. The sultan of Lower Perak and other local chiefs attempted to end foreign influence in the region and remove the British administratorJames W. W. Birch. Following the killing of Birch in 1875, British forces defeated the followers ofLela Pandak Lam.
In the 19th-century, the Malay sultanates gradually came under the control of the colonialBritish Empire. Officially the British pursued an abolitionist policy in all areas under their control afterSlavery Abolition Act 1833.[1] From the 1870s, when the British felt their power was secure enough to introduce policies they felt would be unpopular, they actively started to pursue an abolitionist policy againstslavery in Malaya. In 1875, the British Resident of PerakJames W. W. Birch was killed byLela Pandak Lam in 1875 after having assisted slave refugees from the royalharem of theSultan of Perak.[2]
After the murder of Birch, local Malays first planned on attacking Bandar Bahru on the night of 2 November, but the plan was aborted due to heavy rain. British reinforcements started to arrive fromHong Kong and Burma by 6 November. A skirmish happened near a Malay-held stockade near Bandar Tua, Perak on 7 November 1875 involving around 106 British soldiers. This was the first battle in the war. Encountering unexpected resistance, the battle ended with the retreat of the British detachment, who lost 4 men including Captain Innes, an officer. Reinforcements were sent, and 300 men soon arrived in the state with 80 boats. Most of the army were sent fromIndia and Hong Kong.
After the assassination of British ResidentJames W. W. Birch, the British attacked Lela Pandak Lam's stronghold inPasir Salak. on 7 December, 1875, but were stopped at Kampung Biak. InLakaran Melayu by Sir Frank Swettenham, the bravery of two Malay scouts, Nakodah Orlong and Alang, is described. Nakodah Orlong was killed in the ambush. Alang defended his leader's body throughout the day and eventually brought it back to the base by swimming in the river. The attack failed for the British, with many wounded and killed.[3]
On the 15th,[specify] the British army arrived atPasir Salak. The place was well defended, with a fort that had a six-footrampart, coupled with a wooden wall on top and with atrench filled with sharpened spikes and traps. The warriors had severallantaka with them, alongside somemuskets. The British attacked relentlessly, but the first attack failed, killing Captain Innes. The British were later successful and captured the fort on 12 December. Pasir Salak was razed by the soldiers under orders fromWilliam Jervois.
The warriors, under Lela Pandak Lam, soon retreated to Sayong. The British followed them, attacking enemy forts and villages on the way. Then, on 4 January 1876, they were ambushed at Kota Lama Kanan, Sayong. Brigadier H.J. Hawkins was killed during the fight.
Soon, the warriors began to lose strength. By mid-1876, the war ended with the capture of prominent leaders and warriors, such asLela Pandak Lam,Sultan Abdullah II andNgah Ibrahim. The first was captured and hanged in Matang with two followers in 1877, while the latter two were exiled to theSeychelles. Thus ended any direct opposition over British control ofPerak.
