PERISTIWA perjuangan orang Melayu menentang penjajahan British di Pasir Salak sehingga menyebabkan kematian Residen British, JWW Birch, terus diabadikan di bumi bersejarah itu.Kini, Kompleks Sejarah Pasir Salak dibangunkan di wilayah yang menjadi saksi perjuangan pahlawan Melayu demi membela tanah air, bangsa dan agama daripada dicemari penjajah. Bagi generasi muda pasca kemerdekaan, kompleks sejarah itu dibina khas untuk mengenang kembali sejarah perjuangan pahit getir pahlawan Melayu seperti Datuk Sagor dan Datuk Maharajalela dalam menentang penjajahan. Jasa mereka diabadikan menerusi pembinaan memorial khas berbentuk ‘sundang’ iaitu sejenis senjata Melayu berbentuk pedang yang digunakan dalam pembunuhan JWW Birch. Di kompleks itu jugalah letaknya kubur JWW Birch, pusara Si Puntum, kubu Datuk Maharajalela dan meriam ‘Lela Rentaka’ yang digunakan dalam pertempuran menentang British. Lebih 600 artifak dipamerkan seperti senjata lama, tembikar dan peralatan lama selain 42 ‘diorama’ iaitu replika patung kecil yang disusun sepanjang terowong bagi menggambarkan sejarah perjuangan orang Melayu di setiap negeri di negara kita.
Memasuki Terowong Sejarah itu tidak sekadar mengembalikan nostalgia pengunjung ke zaman silam tetapi pasti menggetarkan perasaan setiap insan yang memiliki semangat nasionalisme tinggi.Diorama pertama menggambarkan sejarah awal penempatan orang Melayu kuno di muara Sungai Selinsing, manakala diorama ke-42 menggambarkan pembunuhan Gabenor Duncan Stewart oleh Rosli Dhobi di Sarawak.
Kompleks itu dibuka dengan rasminya oleh DYTM Raja Nazrin Shah pada 26 Mei 1990 dengan idea penubuhannya diilhamkan bekas Menteri Besar Perak, Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib.Turut berdiri kukuh ialah dua tugu iaitu tugu peringatan pahlawan Perak yang diabadikan menerusi pembinaan replika sundang atau pedang gergasi serta masjid asal yang terletak berdekatan lokasi Birch dibunuh.Seorang pengunjung, Mior Ahmad Zubri, 39, berkata terowong itu memiliki keistimewaannya tersendiri dari segi pameran bahan yang terdapat di situ. Kedudukannya menghadap Sungai Perak seolah-olah mengimbau kembali sejarah zaman dulu ketika orang Melayu bangun menentang penjajah Inggeris. Katanya, semangat penentangan orang Melayu terhadap penjajah adalah satu semangat yang tulen dan berani sebagaimana dibuktikan menerusi dokumen sejarah bangsa."Penjajah sudah tiada di tanah air kita dan orang Melayu kini bangkit sebagai bangsa yang merdeka dan mempunyai negara yang berdaulat. Kehebatan orang Melayu terletak pada pemimpin zaman modennya yang bijak berpolitik di samping mempunyai darah pejuang yang sejati," katanya.
Jejak: Residen angkuh, biadap dibunuh
PADA 2 November 1875, adalah tarikh kematian seorang residen British yang angkuh serta biadab. Hasrat James Wheeler Woodford Birch atau JWW Birch untuk terus 'memperhambakan’orang Melayu tidak kesampaian sebaliknya kebiadapan lelaki asing itu menyebabkan nyawanya melayang.
Itulah kemuncak kepada sejarah perjuangan orang Melayu menentang penjajah asing di Pasir Salak, sejarah agung yang akan terus dikenang sebagai bukti perjuangan demi cintakan bangsa, agama dan tanah air.
Sejarah panjang itu bermula pada 20 Januari 1874 apabila Raja Abdullah iaitu seorang daripada kerabat diraja Perak melakukan kesilapan terbesar apabila meminta sokongan British bagi membolehkan dirinya merebut takhta menjadi sultan. Lalu pada tarikh itu, Perjanjian Pangkor dimeterai dengan British mengiktiraf Raja Abdullah menjadi Sultan Perak manakala sultan sedia ada iaitu Sultan Ismail diturunkan daripada takhta. Bagaimanapun, terdapat satu daripada syarat Perjanjian Pangkor yang menjadi helah British bagi membolehkan mereka menjajah Perak - Sultan Perak harus menerima seorang Residen British untuk menasihati baginda memerintah.
JWW Birch kemudian dilantik sebagai residen pertama di Perak umumnya dan Tanah Melayu khususnya. Bagaimanapun, sebaik tiba di Perak, lelaki asing itu mula besar kepala dan berlagak bagaikan dirinya raja yang memerintah Perak. Dia mula ‘memijak kepala’ sultan dengan tidak lagi menghormati peranan dan kuasa diraja dalam sistem pemerintahan orang Melayu. Pelbagai peraturan baru yang menekan pembesar serta penduduk mula diperkenalkan Birch terutama membabitkan cukai yang tinggi. Keadaan itu menambahkan derita penduduk yang kebanyakannya hidup miskin. Birch juga cuba mengambil alih tugas mengutip cukai daripada pembesar Melayu apabila menetapkan syarat baru iaitu hanya pegawai yang dilantiknya saja boleh mengutip cukai manakala cukai Kerajaan Perak akan diurus pegawai British. Syarat itu menimbulkan rasa tidak puas hati di kalangan pembesar Melayu. Lelaki asing itu juga semakin besar kepala apabila sesuka hati campur tangan di dalam adat istiadat penduduk dengan menghapuskan sistem hamba yang sudah lama diamalkan di Perak. Sikap kurang ajar dan keangkuhan lelaki asing itu jelas terserlah apabila dia pernah mengarahkan sultan supaya diam dan mematuhi segala arahannya selaku residen apabila Sultan Abdullah menegurnya kerana membuat pelbagai tindakan tanpa merujuk kepada baginda. Kemuncak kebiadapan Birch adalah apabila dia memaksa Sultan Abdullah menandatangani surat supaya memberi hak kepada British untuk memerintah Perak. Sultan Abdullah diugut akan dilucutkan takhta jika baginda enggan menandatangani surat berkenaan. Ugutan itu menyebabkan baginda mengadakan mesyuarat dengan pembesar negeri di Durian Sebatang pada 21 Julai 1875.
Mereka dimaklumkan mengenai hasrat British untuk mengambil alih pemerintahan negeri serta tugas mengutip cukai. Mendengar penjelasan Sultan Abdullah itu, pembesar semakin berang kepada British yang cuba menjajah Perak.
Satu usul untuk membunuh Birch dikemukakan dan pelbagai cadangan diberikan antaranya dengan meracun, sihir dan menikam lelaki asing itu. Akhirnya mesyuarat bersetuju untuk membenarkan Datuk Maharajalela iaitu pembesar kanan dalam Orang Besar Berlapan Perak serta Penghulu Pasir Salak, membunuh Birch dengan menikam penjajah itu.
Dalam pada itu, Birch terus memberi tekanan kepada Sultan Abdullah untuk membolehkan British menjajah Perak. Tekanan berterusan menyebabkan Sultan Abdullah terpaksa bersetuju menyerahkan Perak untuk diperintah British pada 2 Oktober 1875. Pada 15 Oktober 1875, Gabenor Negeri-negeri Selat iaitu Sir William Jervois mengumumkan yang Perak akan diletakkan di bawah pentadbiran British dan akan diketuai seorang pesuruhjaya. Surat pengisytiharan dicetak untuk ditampal di merata tempat di seluruh Perak. Pada mulanya ia ditampal di kawasan kediaman Birch di Bandar Baharu dengan diikuti istiadat tembakan meriam 21 das. Selepas itu surat berkenaan mula ditampal di tempat lain. Berita itu sampai ke pengetahuan Datuk Maharajalela menyebabkan pembesar itu semakin berang. Dia bertekad untuk tidak membenarkan penjajah itu terus menjajah tanah airnya.Datuk Maharajalela mengarahkan pengikutnya mula membina kubu di Pasir Salak dan mengumpulkan senjata kerana yakin yang Birch akan datang ke kawasannya untuk menampalkan surat pengumuman itu.
Sangkaannya benar apabila rombongan Birch tiba di Pasir Salak menggunakan rumah rakit dan perahu pada malam 1 November 1875. Pagi keesokannya, Birch memerintahkan orangnya naik ke darat dan jurubahasanya iaitu Mat Arshad disuruh pergi ke rumah Datuk Maharajalela dan meminta pembesar itu menghadap lelaki British itu. Bagaimanapun, arahan Birch itu menyebabkan pemerintah Pasir Salak itu melenting, sudahlah lelaki asing itu menceroboh ke kawasannya, berlagak pula bagai raja dengan memerintah untuk menghadapnya. Reaksi Datuk Maharajalela itu segera disampaikan Mat Arshad kepada Birch tetapi lelaki asing itu tetap angkuh. Dia memerintahkan Mat Arshad dan pengikutnya segera menampalkan surat pemungutan cukai oleh British di seluruh pelusuk kampung. Melihat pengikut Birch menampalkan surat berkenaan, penduduk kampung mula berang. Mereka mengoyak surat yang ditampal itu tetapi pengikut British itu tetap meneruskan tugas menampal surat itu tanpa mempedulikan sensitiviti penduduk. Akhirnya situasi tegang mula tercetus. Mat Arshad masih tidak menghiraukan kemarahan penduduk Pasir Salak sebaliknya terus menampal surat pengumuman kutipan cukai di dinding kedai emas di kawasan itu. Tindakan Mat Arshad yang tidak mengendahkan larangan dan sensitiviti penduduk menyebabkan hati Pandak Indut semakin membara. Pengikut Datuk Maharajalela itu meluru ke arah Mat Arshad dan terus mengoyakkan surat yang ditampal lelaki itu.Mat Arshad tidak peduli dan bagaikan mencabar Pandak Indut, dia terus menampal surat pengumuman yang baru. Sekali lagi Pandak Indut mengoyakkan surat berkenaan. Selepas beberapa kali surat berkenaan dikoyak dan melihat Mat Arshad terus menampalkan surat baru, Pandak Indut tidak dapat bersabar lagi. Baginya, lelaki Melayu yang menjadi orang suruhan bangsa asing itu sudah melampau.Dengan pantas Pandak Indut menusuk kerisnya ke jasad Mat Arshad. Lelaki itu mengerang kesakitan dan terus rebah ke tanah. Tindakan Pandak Indut menikam pengikut Birch itu seolah-olah satu isyarat supaya orang Melayu bertindak. Jeritan amarah penduduk bergema membelah langit Pasir Salak. Mereka mula mengamuk dan menyerbu ke rumah rakit Birch sambil merejam lembing. Askar pengawal Birch yang ketakutan melihat amukan dan serbuan penduduk kampung, segera melarikan diri meninggalkan rumah rakit itu tanpa pengawal. Keriuhan di luar menyentak Birch yang sedang mandi ketika itu. Bagaimanapun, ketika dia menyedari yang penduduk kampung mula mengamuk, segala-galanya sudah terlambat.Rejaman lembing penduduk menembusi rumah rakit itu seterusnya menusuk jasad Birch. Penduduk terus merusuh ingin membunuhnya. Dalam keadaannya yang cedera parah, Birch cuba menyelamatkan diri dengan terjun ke dalam sungai.Ketika dia timbul tercungap-cungap di permukaan air, Si Putum iaitu seorang pengikut Datuk Maharajalela daripada kalangan Orang Asli, dengan pantas menetak kepala lelaki asing itu menggunakan pedang. Darah merah mencemari air sungai dan jasad Birch akhirnya tenggelam dan dihanyutkan arus ...
sumber: Sejarah Malaysia Edisi Kedua, Mereka Bukan Penderhaka dan Pahlawan Pasir Salak.
Itulah kemuncak kepada sejarah perjuangan orang Melayu menentang penjajah asing di Pasir Salak, sejarah agung yang akan terus dikenang sebagai bukti perjuangan demi cintakan bangsa, agama dan tanah air.
Sejarah panjang itu bermula pada 20 Januari 1874 apabila Raja Abdullah iaitu seorang daripada kerabat diraja Perak melakukan kesilapan terbesar apabila meminta sokongan British bagi membolehkan dirinya merebut takhta menjadi sultan. Lalu pada tarikh itu, Perjanjian Pangkor dimeterai dengan British mengiktiraf Raja Abdullah menjadi Sultan Perak manakala sultan sedia ada iaitu Sultan Ismail diturunkan daripada takhta. Bagaimanapun, terdapat satu daripada syarat Perjanjian Pangkor yang menjadi helah British bagi membolehkan mereka menjajah Perak - Sultan Perak harus menerima seorang Residen British untuk menasihati baginda memerintah.
JWW Birch kemudian dilantik sebagai residen pertama di Perak umumnya dan Tanah Melayu khususnya. Bagaimanapun, sebaik tiba di Perak, lelaki asing itu mula besar kepala dan berlagak bagaikan dirinya raja yang memerintah Perak. Dia mula ‘memijak kepala’ sultan dengan tidak lagi menghormati peranan dan kuasa diraja dalam sistem pemerintahan orang Melayu. Pelbagai peraturan baru yang menekan pembesar serta penduduk mula diperkenalkan Birch terutama membabitkan cukai yang tinggi. Keadaan itu menambahkan derita penduduk yang kebanyakannya hidup miskin. Birch juga cuba mengambil alih tugas mengutip cukai daripada pembesar Melayu apabila menetapkan syarat baru iaitu hanya pegawai yang dilantiknya saja boleh mengutip cukai manakala cukai Kerajaan Perak akan diurus pegawai British. Syarat itu menimbulkan rasa tidak puas hati di kalangan pembesar Melayu. Lelaki asing itu juga semakin besar kepala apabila sesuka hati campur tangan di dalam adat istiadat penduduk dengan menghapuskan sistem hamba yang sudah lama diamalkan di Perak. Sikap kurang ajar dan keangkuhan lelaki asing itu jelas terserlah apabila dia pernah mengarahkan sultan supaya diam dan mematuhi segala arahannya selaku residen apabila Sultan Abdullah menegurnya kerana membuat pelbagai tindakan tanpa merujuk kepada baginda. Kemuncak kebiadapan Birch adalah apabila dia memaksa Sultan Abdullah menandatangani surat supaya memberi hak kepada British untuk memerintah Perak. Sultan Abdullah diugut akan dilucutkan takhta jika baginda enggan menandatangani surat berkenaan. Ugutan itu menyebabkan baginda mengadakan mesyuarat dengan pembesar negeri di Durian Sebatang pada 21 Julai 1875.
Mereka dimaklumkan mengenai hasrat British untuk mengambil alih pemerintahan negeri serta tugas mengutip cukai. Mendengar penjelasan Sultan Abdullah itu, pembesar semakin berang kepada British yang cuba menjajah Perak.
Satu usul untuk membunuh Birch dikemukakan dan pelbagai cadangan diberikan antaranya dengan meracun, sihir dan menikam lelaki asing itu. Akhirnya mesyuarat bersetuju untuk membenarkan Datuk Maharajalela iaitu pembesar kanan dalam Orang Besar Berlapan Perak serta Penghulu Pasir Salak, membunuh Birch dengan menikam penjajah itu.
Dalam pada itu, Birch terus memberi tekanan kepada Sultan Abdullah untuk membolehkan British menjajah Perak. Tekanan berterusan menyebabkan Sultan Abdullah terpaksa bersetuju menyerahkan Perak untuk diperintah British pada 2 Oktober 1875. Pada 15 Oktober 1875, Gabenor Negeri-negeri Selat iaitu Sir William Jervois mengumumkan yang Perak akan diletakkan di bawah pentadbiran British dan akan diketuai seorang pesuruhjaya. Surat pengisytiharan dicetak untuk ditampal di merata tempat di seluruh Perak. Pada mulanya ia ditampal di kawasan kediaman Birch di Bandar Baharu dengan diikuti istiadat tembakan meriam 21 das. Selepas itu surat berkenaan mula ditampal di tempat lain. Berita itu sampai ke pengetahuan Datuk Maharajalela menyebabkan pembesar itu semakin berang. Dia bertekad untuk tidak membenarkan penjajah itu terus menjajah tanah airnya.Datuk Maharajalela mengarahkan pengikutnya mula membina kubu di Pasir Salak dan mengumpulkan senjata kerana yakin yang Birch akan datang ke kawasannya untuk menampalkan surat pengumuman itu.
Sangkaannya benar apabila rombongan Birch tiba di Pasir Salak menggunakan rumah rakit dan perahu pada malam 1 November 1875. Pagi keesokannya, Birch memerintahkan orangnya naik ke darat dan jurubahasanya iaitu Mat Arshad disuruh pergi ke rumah Datuk Maharajalela dan meminta pembesar itu menghadap lelaki British itu. Bagaimanapun, arahan Birch itu menyebabkan pemerintah Pasir Salak itu melenting, sudahlah lelaki asing itu menceroboh ke kawasannya, berlagak pula bagai raja dengan memerintah untuk menghadapnya. Reaksi Datuk Maharajalela itu segera disampaikan Mat Arshad kepada Birch tetapi lelaki asing itu tetap angkuh. Dia memerintahkan Mat Arshad dan pengikutnya segera menampalkan surat pemungutan cukai oleh British di seluruh pelusuk kampung. Melihat pengikut Birch menampalkan surat berkenaan, penduduk kampung mula berang. Mereka mengoyak surat yang ditampal itu tetapi pengikut British itu tetap meneruskan tugas menampal surat itu tanpa mempedulikan sensitiviti penduduk. Akhirnya situasi tegang mula tercetus. Mat Arshad masih tidak menghiraukan kemarahan penduduk Pasir Salak sebaliknya terus menampal surat pengumuman kutipan cukai di dinding kedai emas di kawasan itu. Tindakan Mat Arshad yang tidak mengendahkan larangan dan sensitiviti penduduk menyebabkan hati Pandak Indut semakin membara. Pengikut Datuk Maharajalela itu meluru ke arah Mat Arshad dan terus mengoyakkan surat yang ditampal lelaki itu.Mat Arshad tidak peduli dan bagaikan mencabar Pandak Indut, dia terus menampal surat pengumuman yang baru. Sekali lagi Pandak Indut mengoyakkan surat berkenaan. Selepas beberapa kali surat berkenaan dikoyak dan melihat Mat Arshad terus menampalkan surat baru, Pandak Indut tidak dapat bersabar lagi. Baginya, lelaki Melayu yang menjadi orang suruhan bangsa asing itu sudah melampau.Dengan pantas Pandak Indut menusuk kerisnya ke jasad Mat Arshad. Lelaki itu mengerang kesakitan dan terus rebah ke tanah. Tindakan Pandak Indut menikam pengikut Birch itu seolah-olah satu isyarat supaya orang Melayu bertindak. Jeritan amarah penduduk bergema membelah langit Pasir Salak. Mereka mula mengamuk dan menyerbu ke rumah rakit Birch sambil merejam lembing. Askar pengawal Birch yang ketakutan melihat amukan dan serbuan penduduk kampung, segera melarikan diri meninggalkan rumah rakit itu tanpa pengawal. Keriuhan di luar menyentak Birch yang sedang mandi ketika itu. Bagaimanapun, ketika dia menyedari yang penduduk kampung mula mengamuk, segala-galanya sudah terlambat.Rejaman lembing penduduk menembusi rumah rakit itu seterusnya menusuk jasad Birch. Penduduk terus merusuh ingin membunuhnya. Dalam keadaannya yang cedera parah, Birch cuba menyelamatkan diri dengan terjun ke dalam sungai.Ketika dia timbul tercungap-cungap di permukaan air, Si Putum iaitu seorang pengikut Datuk Maharajalela daripada kalangan Orang Asli, dengan pantas menetak kepala lelaki asing itu menggunakan pedang. Darah merah mencemari air sungai dan jasad Birch akhirnya tenggelam dan dihanyutkan arus ...
sumber: Sejarah Malaysia Edisi Kedua, Mereka Bukan Penderhaka dan Pahlawan Pasir Salak.
galleries...
senjata senjata yang digunakan & berada di Kota Ngah Ibrahim :
barang barang peninggalan di Kota Ngah Ibrahim :
Datuk Syahbandar
The Descendants of Datuk Syahbandar, exiled after being implicated in the killing of the1st British Resident in Perak, JWW Birch have given up the search for his grave.
Let Datuk Syahbandar rest in peace, wherever he is now, said his great great grandson Datuk Seri Mohd Zulkifili Mohd Kushairi. Further attempts to find the grave of his exiled great great grandfather were fruitless. My family & relatives have spent a lot of time looking for my ancestor but we returned empty handed because we could not locate his grave in Singapore said the Orang Besar Jajahan of Kerian. asked if the effort to locate his ancestors grave ought to be continued by the National Heritage Department, Orang Besar Jajahan said the matter should be laid to rest.
Datuk Seri Mohd Zulkifli, 73 year old who also inherited the title of Orang Kaya-Kaya Shahbandar Paduka Indera is one of eight territorial chiefs of Perak.
He said the news of the return of the remains of Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim & Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap had saddened him as his great-great grandfathers grave had yet to be found. Im sad that my ancestor will never return to his birthplace, but wherever he is, i pray he is resting in peace. My family has given up the search for the grave.
Datuk Syahbandar, Sultan Abdullah, Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim & Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap were implicated in JWW Birch Murder in 1875. The 4 of them were banished to the Seychelles Island in 1876. Sultan Abdullah remained there for 16 years before being allowed to return to Perak in 1892. 29 years later he died and was buried in the Royal Mausoleum at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar in 1922.
Datuk Syahbandar, Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim & Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap however were banished for life and were first sent to Sarawak before being exiled to Singapore.
Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim died and buried in Makam Al-Junied 1895 & Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap was buried in Jurong Muslim Cemetery 1908. When Singapore developed Jurong, Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap remains were relocated to Pusara Aman.
Details about Datuk Syahbandar's death are sketchy although historians believe that he was also buried in the Jurong Muslim Cemetery then later to Pusara Aman but yet still unsolved for the last return of Pahlawan Perak.
Al-Fatihah...
Let Datuk Syahbandar rest in peace, wherever he is now, said his great great grandson Datuk Seri Mohd Zulkifili Mohd Kushairi. Further attempts to find the grave of his exiled great great grandfather were fruitless. My family & relatives have spent a lot of time looking for my ancestor but we returned empty handed because we could not locate his grave in Singapore said the Orang Besar Jajahan of Kerian. asked if the effort to locate his ancestors grave ought to be continued by the National Heritage Department, Orang Besar Jajahan said the matter should be laid to rest.
Datuk Seri Mohd Zulkifli, 73 year old who also inherited the title of Orang Kaya-Kaya Shahbandar Paduka Indera is one of eight territorial chiefs of Perak.
He said the news of the return of the remains of Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim & Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap had saddened him as his great-great grandfathers grave had yet to be found. Im sad that my ancestor will never return to his birthplace, but wherever he is, i pray he is resting in peace. My family has given up the search for the grave.
Datuk Syahbandar, Sultan Abdullah, Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim & Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap were implicated in JWW Birch Murder in 1875. The 4 of them were banished to the Seychelles Island in 1876. Sultan Abdullah remained there for 16 years before being allowed to return to Perak in 1892. 29 years later he died and was buried in the Royal Mausoleum at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar in 1922.
Datuk Syahbandar, Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim & Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap however were banished for life and were first sent to Sarawak before being exiled to Singapore.
Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim died and buried in Makam Al-Junied 1895 & Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap was buried in Jurong Muslim Cemetery 1908. When Singapore developed Jurong, Laksamana Mohd Amin Alang Duakap remains were relocated to Pusara Aman.
Details about Datuk Syahbandar's death are sketchy although historians believe that he was also buried in the Jurong Muslim Cemetery then later to Pusara Aman but yet still unsolved for the last return of Pahlawan Perak.
Al-Fatihah...
reviving Datok's Sagor Legacy
Datuk Sagor was one of the key players in the uprising against British intervention in Perak in the 19th century. Yet for Rayhana Mohamad Abbas, a descendant of Datuk Sagor, keeping his legacy alive is no easy task.
The name and spirit of the warrior is immortalised in the Institut Datuk Sagor (IDS), a centre to promote excellence now under Rayhana's management."I was offered by the family-owned Koperasi Pembangunan Keluarga Hj Mohamed Perak to manage IDS and I accepted it with pride as I could contribute to the family," she said.
Rayhana, 32, who is IDS general manager, is a fourth generation descendent of Teh Nasa, the sixth of Datuk Sagor's nine children. The Teluk Intan-born lass left her public relations executive job with a local cosmetic company to take charge of IDS that was in a state of decline then.
DATUK SAGOR'S LEGACY
Datuk Sagor was actually the term for anyone holding the Datuk Seri Agar Diraja Orang Besar Delapan Perak title. The legendary Datuk Sagor's actual name was Ngah Kamdin.
The murder of the British Resident J.W.W. Birch in Pasir Salak on Nov 2, 1875 etched Datuk Sagor's name in the Malay annals. Along with others like Datuk Maharaja Lela, the leader, Si Puntum, Pandak Endut, Che' Gondah, Ngah Ahmad, Laksamana Mohamad Amin, Syahbandar and Che' Ngah Ibrahim, Datuk Sagor had conspired to kill the first British Resident.
Following the incident, the British conducted a swoop to capture those who murdered Birch. Within a year all those involved were captured and brought to trial. Datuk Sagor, Datuk Maharajalela and Si Puntum were among the five who were found directly involved in Birch's murder, and they were sentenced to death. Raja Abdullah and the rest were banished to the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. While awaiting execution, the five were incarcerated at the Ngah Ibrahim Fort in Matang.
HISTORY AND MYTHS, THE SELLING POINT
"Though the historical records of Datuk Sagor are easily available, there are many myths linked to him that have to be verified," said Rayhana."I used to hear many things from my family and the locals regarding Datuk Sagor's mystical powers and this can complement the historical records available."One of them is that after the execution, Datuk Sagor's body was cut into two and buried at the opposite sides of the Larut River as it was feared that he could rise from the dead.
"Through research, these myths can be shared with the visitors to IDS. The information can be used as a selling point for IDS," Rayhana said.Other then the history relating to Datuk Sagor, she felt that several nearby locations like Pasir Salak, Kampung Gajah and Bukit Tunggal should be given attention as they are among the state's historical landmarks.
NEW LEASE OF LIFE
It takes a 45-minute drive from Ipoh town to reach IDS. The centre constructed by the Perak government in the 1980's had lost its lustre over the years and ended up in a sad state of affairs. Realising that something had to be done to revive IDS, the gutsy Rayhana, probably with the same determination like her ancestor Datuk Sagor, took control of things.
"When we took over the management in June last year, IDS was in a deplorable state with many saying the end was inevitable," she said. Looking at the situation then, she decided to give IDS a new lease of life with a RM 100,000 allocation to improvise the institute. Now the black and white buildings are again ready to host programmes like motivational camps, leadership courses and educational events.Apart from the main buildings, the IDS has two hostel blocks, a meeting hall, a dining hall, surau, three chalets, parade ground and training ground for programme participants.
IMMORTALISING THE FAMILY NAME
The Ngah Kamdin multi-purpose hall which can accommodate 200 people is named after Datuk Sagor, and so are several other facilities there named after his children to immortalise the Malay chieftain's legacy.
The others are the Toh Puan Lipat banquet hall and the two hostel blocks, Teh Nasa and Alang Siap. Among the activities which can be conducted here are brain-storming sessions, guidance sessions, group workshops, treasure hunts, jungle trekking, kayaking, rafting, river crossing, camping and many more. IDS also offers progammes in confidence building, leadership, self-improvement, organisational management and team building.
"Programme participants can also take the opportunity to visit historical sites like the Pasir Salak Historical Complex and go for jungle trekking at Bukit Tunggal, the only hill here," Rayhana said.
According to her, Bukit Tunggal was once under the jurisdiction of Datuk Sagor. Despite Rayhana's efforts, the centre's future will be in jeopardy without the support from various parties.The mother of two could not hide her frustration with the locals who seem to be indifferent to the activities conducted at IDS. She said most of the time the locals stayed away from its activities."One of the reasons why we are re-invigorating the institute is because we want to contribute to society other than providing job opportunities, and we hope that in turn the locals will participate in our activities," she said. She urged the state government, local leaders and non-governmental organisations to lend their support by taking part in the activities conducted by IDS. As for Rayhana, IDS is not only special to her family, but also in keeping alive the legacy of a Malay warrior.
IDS hotline 05-6311980 atau e-mel: datosagor@yahoo.com.
The name and spirit of the warrior is immortalised in the Institut Datuk Sagor (IDS), a centre to promote excellence now under Rayhana's management."I was offered by the family-owned Koperasi Pembangunan Keluarga Hj Mohamed Perak to manage IDS and I accepted it with pride as I could contribute to the family," she said.
Rayhana, 32, who is IDS general manager, is a fourth generation descendent of Teh Nasa, the sixth of Datuk Sagor's nine children. The Teluk Intan-born lass left her public relations executive job with a local cosmetic company to take charge of IDS that was in a state of decline then.
DATUK SAGOR'S LEGACY
Datuk Sagor was actually the term for anyone holding the Datuk Seri Agar Diraja Orang Besar Delapan Perak title. The legendary Datuk Sagor's actual name was Ngah Kamdin.
The murder of the British Resident J.W.W. Birch in Pasir Salak on Nov 2, 1875 etched Datuk Sagor's name in the Malay annals. Along with others like Datuk Maharaja Lela, the leader, Si Puntum, Pandak Endut, Che' Gondah, Ngah Ahmad, Laksamana Mohamad Amin, Syahbandar and Che' Ngah Ibrahim, Datuk Sagor had conspired to kill the first British Resident.
Following the incident, the British conducted a swoop to capture those who murdered Birch. Within a year all those involved were captured and brought to trial. Datuk Sagor, Datuk Maharajalela and Si Puntum were among the five who were found directly involved in Birch's murder, and they were sentenced to death. Raja Abdullah and the rest were banished to the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. While awaiting execution, the five were incarcerated at the Ngah Ibrahim Fort in Matang.
HISTORY AND MYTHS, THE SELLING POINT
"Though the historical records of Datuk Sagor are easily available, there are many myths linked to him that have to be verified," said Rayhana."I used to hear many things from my family and the locals regarding Datuk Sagor's mystical powers and this can complement the historical records available."One of them is that after the execution, Datuk Sagor's body was cut into two and buried at the opposite sides of the Larut River as it was feared that he could rise from the dead.
"Through research, these myths can be shared with the visitors to IDS. The information can be used as a selling point for IDS," Rayhana said.Other then the history relating to Datuk Sagor, she felt that several nearby locations like Pasir Salak, Kampung Gajah and Bukit Tunggal should be given attention as they are among the state's historical landmarks.
NEW LEASE OF LIFE
It takes a 45-minute drive from Ipoh town to reach IDS. The centre constructed by the Perak government in the 1980's had lost its lustre over the years and ended up in a sad state of affairs. Realising that something had to be done to revive IDS, the gutsy Rayhana, probably with the same determination like her ancestor Datuk Sagor, took control of things.
"When we took over the management in June last year, IDS was in a deplorable state with many saying the end was inevitable," she said. Looking at the situation then, she decided to give IDS a new lease of life with a RM 100,000 allocation to improvise the institute. Now the black and white buildings are again ready to host programmes like motivational camps, leadership courses and educational events.Apart from the main buildings, the IDS has two hostel blocks, a meeting hall, a dining hall, surau, three chalets, parade ground and training ground for programme participants.
IMMORTALISING THE FAMILY NAME
The Ngah Kamdin multi-purpose hall which can accommodate 200 people is named after Datuk Sagor, and so are several other facilities there named after his children to immortalise the Malay chieftain's legacy.
The others are the Toh Puan Lipat banquet hall and the two hostel blocks, Teh Nasa and Alang Siap. Among the activities which can be conducted here are brain-storming sessions, guidance sessions, group workshops, treasure hunts, jungle trekking, kayaking, rafting, river crossing, camping and many more. IDS also offers progammes in confidence building, leadership, self-improvement, organisational management and team building.
"Programme participants can also take the opportunity to visit historical sites like the Pasir Salak Historical Complex and go for jungle trekking at Bukit Tunggal, the only hill here," Rayhana said.
According to her, Bukit Tunggal was once under the jurisdiction of Datuk Sagor. Despite Rayhana's efforts, the centre's future will be in jeopardy without the support from various parties.The mother of two could not hide her frustration with the locals who seem to be indifferent to the activities conducted at IDS. She said most of the time the locals stayed away from its activities."One of the reasons why we are re-invigorating the institute is because we want to contribute to society other than providing job opportunities, and we hope that in turn the locals will participate in our activities," she said. She urged the state government, local leaders and non-governmental organisations to lend their support by taking part in the activities conducted by IDS. As for Rayhana, IDS is not only special to her family, but also in keeping alive the legacy of a Malay warrior.
IDS hotline 05-6311980 atau e-mel: datosagor@yahoo.com.