The Legend of Tok Kuala Bidor, Famous in Teluk Intan
Tok Kuala Bidor? At the edge of Kampung Bahagia, Teluk Intan, near the Sungai Suli Water Gate area, there is an old cemetery located on an 'island' in the middle of the river. This cemetery houses the remains of early Teluk Intan residents, including a figure known as Toh Kuala Bidor.
In the past, visitors wishing to reach this cemetery could only do so by motorboat or small boat as there were no roads leading there. However, now that a flood mitigation water gate has been built, there is finally a bridge and a road crossing the river, making it easier for local residents to reach Sungai Tungku or visit this cemetery.
There are many stories regarding Tok Kuala Bidor or Toh Kuala Bidor. Some historians consider him to be a Bugis commander named Latata Ambralla who disguised himself as Nakhoda Hitam. This Nakhoda Hitam was also known by the Dutch as a pirate leader who terrorized the Kuala Perak area (the estuary of the Perak River where it meets the Strait of Malacca).
During the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Syah III (1728-1756), Tok Kuala Bidor was said to have been appointed as an Orang Besar Perak with the title of Laksamana, and he controlled the waters from Kuala Bidor to the mouth of the Perak River.
The legend of Tok Kuala Bidor was recorded by Sir William Edward Maxwell, a British administrator who served as the British Resident of Selangor, Colonial Secretary of the Straits Settlements, acting Governor of the Straits Settlements, and Governor of the Gold Coast, Australia. The following is his study regarding Tok Kuala Bidor, which was published in the "Straits Branch of Royal Asiatic Society".
"In the past, there was a poor fisherman who came from Pasai, Sumatra, and had migrated to the Malay Peninsula, living with his wife by the Perak River. He (worked by) catching fish using various types of equipment (such as fish traps, nets, and baskets), but he still struggled to make a living."
He and his wife were so poor that they only had one set of clothes between them, and when one of them went out, the other was forced to stay at home inside their mosquito net. The high tide at that time sometimes reached Bandar Tuah, and it was near this place that the husband went fishing.
He noticed that his traps had been disturbed by someone else several times. So, he decided to spy. After some time, he saw a Jin dressed in green robes like a Haji, wearing a green turban, descend into the water. The fisherman immediately dove into the water and grabbed the Jin's leg.
The Jin then begged to be released and promised to grant the fisherman's request if he did so. The fisherman then asked to be lifted out of his poverty. The Jin then asked him to swallow something and then spit into his mouth. The Jin then said, "You will become a great leader in this state of Perak, and your descendants for seven generations will be prosperous."
"After that event, the fisherman was showered with prosperity and became wealthy, eventually being promoted to Laksamana of the State of Perak. He was called by his people as Toh Kuala Bidor, because his residence was at the mouth of the Bidor River. The children of Laksamana Datok Muhammad Amin, who was a state prisoner in the Seychelles, claimed to be the 7th generation descendants of Toh Kuala Bidor."
According to the writings of Megat Iskandar At-Terawis in the Orang Dua Belas blog, genealogical studies from the Daeng Selili family claim that Nakhoda Hitam was the youngest brother of Daeng Selili (Orang Kaya-Kaya Maharaja Lela Tan Putera Pancung Tak Bertanya, the first Dato Maharajalela). Besides that, there are also claims stating that Nakhoda Hitam was the step-elder brother of Daeng Selili.
The position of OKK Laksamana Raja Mahkota, from its inception until now, is a position held by the descendants of Tok Kuala Bidor. Currently, the position is held by OKK Laksamana Raja Mahkota Dato' Meor Redwan Bin Mahyudin. He is also an Orang Besar Jajahan of Hilir Perak.
Such is the legend of Tok Kuala Bidor. His grave is in Kampung Bahagia, Teluk Intan. However, there are also claims that his grave was moved to the Kampung Batak Rabit Mosque in Teluk Intan. His tomb in Kampung Bahagia is also known as Keramat Kuala Bidor.
Throughout the observations of the Orang Perak team who visited this tomb a few years ago, the cemetery area is believed to house the graves of the OKK Raja Laksamana family from several generations. The Keramat Tok Kuala Bidor uses interesting Aceh-style tombstones. Unfortunately, most of these Aceh tombstones have been destroyed, possibly due to long-term exposure to the weather.
This cemetery area is also overgrown with bushes. It is hoped that the heirs and the Laksamana family can take action to clean and preserve this area. Perhaps an information board regarding the history of Tok Kuala Bidor could also be placed there so that his story can be followed by the community today.
References:
- Maxwell W (ed). Notes and Queries. Malaysian Branch Royal Asiatic Society (MBRAS). Reprint 15. 1997. p61.
- Historical Places in the State of Perak, N.A. Halim
- FB Page - Jejak Warisan Teluk Intan
- Blog Orang Dua Belas - Megat Iskandar Terawis
- Fb - Iskandar Zulqarnain
