Malay Warriors Did Battle Against Colonial Rulers In 18th Century

By Zulkiple Ibrahim KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia celebrates its 56th National Day this Aug 31, once again recalling the efforts of its national leaders who negotiated the country’s independence through much discussion and debate, avoiding any bloodshed. But many forget that the Malays of the country did fight many a battle against the colonial British rulers in the 18th century, according to social activist and historian, Abdul Rahim Ahmad. "Looking back, the war against colonialism had begun in 1511 when the Portuguese attacked (southern state of) Melaka," he told this writer. "In the 18th century, the Malay warriors fought against the British though these battles took place at different locations (in various states) and were years apart. Of course, it was not an all out war to attain independence. These were not simultaneous nationwide battles, but these indeed were fired by patriotism," he said. NATIONALISM "Before the Second World War, the Malays already had nationalism at heart but were fired up by the defeat that the British suffered at the hands of the Japanese Army during the initial years of the war. Of course, another fact was that the country was under the Japanese rule from 1942 until 1945," he said. Abdul Rahim said even though the country was assisted by the Commonwealth Forces during the 1948-1960 Emergency period, the Malays were the ones who ensured that the Malay States remain free from the influence of communism as the reds followed a different ideology. "If the Malays had not united against the communists, then the country would have suffered a fate like Vietnam where the people rose against France, and later even the United States," Abdul Rahim said. MALAY WARRIORS The history of the Malay States depicts that there was some sort of a patriotic war going on against the British during the 18th century though the skirmishes occurred in different states and remained localised instead of becoming a full blown war like the American Revolution. "The uprising of the Malays was a result of the unhappiness prompted by British interference in the affairs of the Malays and was not a revolutionary war like the one when America wanted independence from Great Britain," he said. He said during the ensuing battles, the Malays charted some success against the British but were finally overwhelmed by superiority in weaponry and well trained troops. MALAY UPRISING Based on information gleaned from the National Archives, there were some battles that the Malays fought against the British in several states in the 18th century. In the war at Naning, Melaka 1831-1833, the Malays were led by Dol Said. They also fought the British in Sungai Ujung, Negeri Sembilan (1874-1876) while Bahaman led the Malay warriors in Semantan, Pahang state (1891-1895) and so did Tok Janggut in Kelantan state in 1915. Historians said these uprisings were a direct objection to the British interference, as well as proof of unhappiness with the local rulers who received help and protection from the British. The Malays were also dissatisfied over 'hefty and unfair' taxes imposed by the British administrators at that time. WAR IN SEMANTAN, NANING Among those who fought against the British in the 18th century were Bahaman, Tok Gajah and Mat Kilau in Pahang, Tok Janggut in Kelantan and Rentap in Sarawak as well as Mat Salleh in Sabah. In Pahang, Abdul Rahman Tuanku Imam Nuh or Bahaman fought the British in Semantan. The struggle in Semantan was a result of dissatisfaction among the Malays over British interference and began when Bahaman and his followers attacked C.E.M Deaborough and his escort at Sungai Semantan on Dec 15, 1891. Meanwhile, Dol Said or Abdul Said was the Penghulu (village head) of Naning in 1799. He opposed the imposition of taxes by the British and managed to defeat the latter in two campaigns fought over two years. The Naning war had made Dol Said a hero in Melaka history. MAT SALLEH, RENTAP Datu Mat Salleh, or Mat Salleh, was famous for his struggles against the British in Sabah. Datu Mat Salleh fought the British from July 31, 1897 until Jan 31, 1900 when British mercenaries finally overran his fortress. As for Rentap, he was the leader of the Iban warriors who stayed upstream of Sungai Sekrang. In 1853, Rentap led his iban warriors to attack the British in Skrang and this campaign made him a hero in the fight against the British in pre-merdeka years. It will be worthwhile to recall the glorious campaigns and battles of these sons of the soil against foreign rule as the country is awashed in Hari Merdaka (Independence Day) celebrations soon. The theme for Malaysia's 56th independence day is "My Sovereign Malaysia: My Native Land". -- BERNAMA