Significance of Pangkor Engagement Beginning of Residential System [= indirect rule] in Malaya An official change of policy of intervention Sultan remained head of state but had to accept the advice of a “Resident” in all matters of administration & government British Residents appeared in Selangor, Negri Sembilan & Pahang British merchants were very pleased with the possible benefits of safety and more trading opportunities
ROLE OF THE RESIDENT Set up a good system of taxation & collection of revenue which would be used to develop the state Restore peace and set up a system of law & order Develop the tin mines and other resources of the state Persuade the Malay chiefs & people that change is beneficial To be diplomatic Not to offend the dignity of the Sultan Not to appear to be ruling Not to criticise the local customs & practices Would not be supported by an army or police force Dependent on relationship/rapport with the Sultan
STRUCTURE OF THE RESIDENTIAL SYSTEM British Government Governor of Straits Settlements Sultan Resident Assistant Resident Malay chiefs
[a] JAMES BIRCH Worked in Sri Lanka and Straits Settlements as Colonial Secretary before new posting Proposed changes/Goals: [1] reorganise revenue collection [2] put an end to debt-slavery [3] introduce new set of Civil & Criminal Laws How were [1] & [2] done before Birch arrived? What problems would Birch face? What characteristics should he possess to succeed in his work?
Without permission from London, Jervois decided that the Resident’s power should be increased - be called the Queen’s Commissioners and rule Perak directly on behalf of the Sultan
It was decided that there should not be direct British rule in Perak and the other states.
Sir Hugh Low
Approach Consultative Tolerance & understanding Trust and confidence in Malay leadership Friendly relationship between Resident and Malay chiefs Sincere and keen in developing the state
Reforms State Council Removal of debt slavery New System of Public Revenue Establishment of system of justice development of infrastructure eg roads, railways
Results peace and stability Paid off debt of $160,000 Surplus of $1.5 million
Benefits of Residential System Political stability - end of Larut wars & succession disputes Building of infrastructure - system of roads & rail to link mining areas to ports eg first rail built in 1885 linking Taiping to Port Weld
Benefits of Residential System Development of natural resources - tin mining encouraged, source of revenue for Perak and Selangor New crops introduced - pepper, sugar cane, gambier, tobacco, rubber - rubber most successful – 1877 in Perak by Hugh Low
Benefits of Residential System Growth of towns - Taiping, Ipoh – tin mining towns Population - need for labour : availability of jobs in tin mines and rubber plantations – influx of migrants from China & India
Benefits of Residential System Higher standard of living - improved health facilities - provide infrastructures eg rail, road, water supplies, electricity Education - western & Chinese education - schools built
Why Federated Malay States Different developments - developed own systems of law, justice, taxation - differences in prosperity - large revenue in Perak & Selangor but not in Pahang & Negri Sembilan - lack of co-ordination in development of communications → states drifting apart, difficult to co-operate
Why Federated Malay States FMS : greater uniformity & efficiency in administration - cut costs - level up weaker states like Pahang - inter-state communication links - reduce differences Support for poorer states - common treasury
Durbar
Benefits of FMS Prosperity - revenue rose from $8.5 million (1895) to $24 million (1902) Economic development - growth of tin and rubber industries - Rubber Research Institute established - tin smelting plants in Singapore & Butterworth (Penang) Infrastructure - roads & rail built between states