30th Sultan of Perak, First Malay Appointed as Assistant Commissioner of Police

Before the country gained independence in 1905, many Malays were reluctant to join the police force in the Federated Malay States. This situation became a significant and serious obstacle for the nation's progress.

In 1905, Captain A. McD Graham was appointed as an adjutant for a new police base in Kuala Lumpur. Prior to that appointment, Captain A. McD Graham had served in the state of Perak for 10 years, first with the Perak Sikhs and later with the Malay State Guides (M.S.G). Captain A. McD Graham was the individual who voiced the view and suggestion that there should be involvement from a member of the Malay royal family in the police force. This indirectly helped to foster the spirit among Malays to serve as police officers. During the reign of the late Sultan Idris I (28th Sultan of Perak), the name of the late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak), who at that time held a royal title, was proposed by Captain A. McD Graham to Sir Frank Swettenham, the first Resident-General of the Federated Malay States. The proposal was the result of discussions and received the agreement and consent of the ruler of Perak, the late Sultan Idris I (28th Sultan of Perak). Thus, on August 1, 1905, a new history began in the annals of the police force when the late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak) was appointed as Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak) was entrusted with recruiting Malays to join the police force at the police depot in Bluff Road, Kuala Lumpur. His appointment also indirectly opened eyes and ignited the spirit of the Malays to join the police force. Initially, the late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak) began his duties by seeking and fostering the spirit of Malays to join the police force extensively in the state of Perak and subsequently in the other three Federated Malay States, namely Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang.

All the efforts and hard work of the late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak) in the campaign he organized bore fruit. Day by day, more and more Malays became enthusiastic and interested in joining the police force.

For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, the late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak) was the individual who planned the new uniform (featuring the black songkok) worn by the Malay Police until 1941.

The late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak) was quite active and never missed an opportunity to participate in various sports events held at the police depot where he served. After the passing of his father, the late Sultan Idris I (28th Sultan of Perak) in 1916, the late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak) returned to the state of Perak and became the Raja Bendahara of Perak.

In 1918, the late Sultan Iskandar (30th Sultan of Perak) ascended the throne as the primary ruler of the state of Perak. The position of Assistant Commissioner of Police held by him was relinquished, and he maintained his interest without holding power in the police force until his passing in 1938.

Sources and references:

• Sheppard M. The first Malay Assistant Commissioner of Police. Malaysia In History 1970