Pantan Perak Negeri-Negeri Selat Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Countries discussed: Pulau Pinang, Melaka, Singapore
• Combined, they are called Negeri-Negeri Selat

British Expansion in Pulau Pinang, Singapura, Melaka

• British Colonial Rule: All three states were colonized by the British
• Strategic Importance of Pulau Pinang:
  • Collection Center: Goods from Alam Melayu, notably tea from China, exchanged for gold and silver
  • Port of Call: Repair ships, supply food and water, shelter during monsoon winds
  • Military Depot: Protect from French army threats in India

Problems in Kedah and British Strategy

• Kedah's Problems:
  • Succession Dispute: Sultan Muhammad Jiwa appointed Tunku Abdullah, faced opposition
  • Siam Threat: Stopped sending gold to Siam, leading to attacks
  • Francis Light's Deception: Promised protection but lied
• British Occupation:
  • Sultan Abdullah's forced agreement led to British control over Pulau Pinang
  • Expansion to Seberang Perai for defense and agriculture

Singapore's Strategic Importance

• Need for Strategic Port: Singapore is more strategic than Melaka
• Role in Economy:
  • Collection of Malay world resources
  • Advancement of trade
• Johor's Problem: Succession issue between Sultan Mahmud Shah's sons, manipulated by Sir Stamford Raffles

British Acquisition of Singapore

• Manipulation & Agreement:
  • Raffles used succession dispute to install Sultan Hussein
  • Agreements with Sultan Hussein secured British control

Melaka's Acquisition

• Through Exchange with Dutch
• Napoleon War Context: Temporary handover of territories during war

Formation of Negeri-Negeri Selat

• Reasons for Formation:
  • Cost-saving and administrative uniformity
  • Unified administration from Pulau Pinang, Melaka, Singapore
• Administration:
  • Initially under British in India
  • Shifted to London due to inefficiencies and dissatisfaction

Strategic Importance

• Economic and Trade Control: Control over Selat Melaka enhances trade
• Gateway for Immigrants: Facilitated entry of foreign laborers, leading to multi-ethnic society

Relations with Malay States

• Mutual Dependency:
  • Malay states provided economic resources like tin
  • Negeri Selat offered port services

Administrative Changes

• Shift from India to London: Due to lack of representation and control issues
• Establishment of Executive and Legislative Councils: For governance and law-making in Negeri-Negeri Selat

These notes cover the key points from the lecture on the historical formation and strategic importance of the Negeri-Negeri Selat under British colonial rule, outlining the economic, administrative, and political dynamics involved.