Notes: Introduction Murder of JWW Birch
Sir William Jervois
Birch as “Queen’s Commissioner”
Sir William Jervois succeeded Sir Andrew Clarke as Governor of the SS in May 1875
Agreed with Birch that Abdullah should be firmly dealt with
Proposed that Residents be made “Queen’s Commissioners” and rule the states directly on behalf of the Sultan
Threatened to depose Abdullah if he didn’t agree
CONSEQUENCES OF BIRCH'S ACTIONS : MURDER OF BIRCH
Abdullah’s complaint to Clarke went unheeded
Birch insisted that Abdullah sign a proclamation to give him the right to collect revenue
Threatened to replace him if he didn’t agree
Meeting among Sultan and Malay chiefs (except Raja Yusof - remember him?)
MURDER OF BIRCH
Decision : KILL BIRCH & drive the British out of Malaya
Maharaja Lela, chief of Pasir Salak, volunteered for the assignment
Raja Ismail (remember him???) agreed to support Lela
1 NOV 1875
Birch was at Pasir Salak after distributing the proclamations (remember the proclamation that he forced Abdullah to sign?) in Lower Perak
He was murdered at the bath house (what a way to die - while bathing!)
Stabbed through the attap walls of the bath house
His body was thrown into the river
BRITISH REACTION
Jervois launched a series of attacks with forces from Penang and Singapore, and later India and Hong Kong
By July 1876, all accomplices to the murder were captured
Punishment was severe
PUNISHMENT
Abdullah deposed and sent into exile with Ismail and others involved
Maharaja Lela and accomplices were hanged
AFTERMATH
Raja Yusof was appointed Regent and in 1886 Sultan of Perak
Sir Jervois was reprimanded for attempting to replace the Residential System with direct rule
Colonial Office was very angry with him and held him responsible for the revolt
Jervois was removed from his post
Perak was placed under a state of military control after Birch’s murder and the revolt
Mar 1876 - J G Davidson was appointed 2nd Resident of Perak
Resigned in Feb 1877 because of difficulties and problems he faced
The man to save Perak and lay the foundations of her prosperity was Hugh Low
He saved the Residential System in Perak
1. Wrong Choice of Resident
2. Conflict between Birch and Malay chiefs
3. Abdullah not suitable as Sultan
4. Misunderstanding about Treaty
5. Unsympathetic Attitude of the British Government
REASONS FOR MURDER OF BIRCH
1. Wrong Choice of Resident
Did not speak Malay; relied on interpreter
Knew little about Malay tradition and customs and didn’t care to understand them
Despised the Malays
Arrogant and impatient man
unable to win support of Sultan and the Malay chiefs
2. Conflict between Birch and Malay chiefs
Reforms went against tradition and custom; antagonized Malays
Reforms such as new revenue collection system and abolition of debt-slavery
No consideration, no consultation and little or no compensation
Blindly entered into Pangkor Treaty
Not clear about actual implications of the terms
Weak ruler who wasted a lot of money
Selected by British only because he was willing to accept British protection
A poor choice indeed by Clarke
Had ten months to consolidate his rule before Birch arrived
4. Misunderstanding about Treaty
misunderstanding over the terms
Abdullah and his chiefs thought the Resident merely assisted and advised the Sultan
Not prepared for the changes that were forced on them
5. Unsympathetic Attitude of the British Government
Andrew Clarke to share the blame
Delay of 10 months
Did not respond to Abdullah’s complaints about Birch
Led to Sultan and his chiefs taking matters into their own hands
Jervois was unsympathetic and aggravated the situation by forcing the Sultan to accept direct rule by British
