Busong Was the Original Name for Beting Beras Basah

Beting Beras Basah is a familiar name to the people of Perak, as it is deeply connected to the history of the state's people and the Sultans who ruled Perak.

There is not much complete information available regarding the place, but based on oral traditions often shared by the elders in Perak, a very interesting and plausible story has been recorded in history books, as recounted in this article. This is based on factual evidence from documents kept and information from the National Museum, which was sent to the Office of the Raja Di Hilir Perak on May 29, 1979, in response to a letter sent by the Clerk to the Raja Di Hilir to the Director-General of the National Museum on May 18, 1979.

When the entourage of Raja Muzaffar, son of Sultan Mahmud Syah of Melaka, sailed from Kampar to Perak to be installed as the first Sultan of Perak (Sultan Muzaffar Syah, reigned 1526 to 1549), he traveled up the Perak River.

At the mouth of the Perak River, the Sultan spotted a white area located on the right side of the river. He asked his men about the place, and one of his dignitaries replied that the place had no name (not in records) or was simply called 'Busong' by the people (a sandy area or delta that often blocks the river mouth).

Intrigued by the place, the Sultan ordered his crew to bring his ship closer so he could disembark and inspect the area.

The Sultan was astonished to find that the sand in the area truly resembled rice and appeared wet. Since the place had no official name and was only called 'Busong' by local fishermen, the Sultan declared the place 'Beting Beras Basah', replacing the name Busong.

The Sultan also told his dignitaries that once he was installed at Tanah Abang, he would travel downstream and offer prayers at Beting Beras Basah to commemorate the place where he first set foot in Perak. He also declared that future Sultans of Perak must visit Beting Beras Basah as a condition of their coronation. According to popular local legend, any Sultan who lacks the necessary sovereignty would be unable to reach Beting Beras Basah for the coronation ceremony.

Not just a scholar's point, A model of virtue, a judge of prayer, Not just rhythmic words, The essence of the pantun, a guiding light.

Once seen, the hand writes, Turmeric crushed, turning yellow, Once intertwined, with what is written, Like skin, inseparable from flesh.

The land of Perak is truly sovereign, Kings of the same lineage as Melaka, Upholding customs and all tributes, A sign that the Malay spirit shall not vanish from the world.

- tokchangkatlanggor -