Rightful Heirs of Kampung Kuchai Found

Kampung Kuchai in Ipoh, Perak, was an early Malay settlement in Ipoh. This settlement was the starting point for the area that forms the City of Ipoh today. It was established by a prominent figure who was responsible for the socio-economic development of the Malays in the state of Perak in the past. The figure in question is Dato’ Sadewa Raja Ngah Abdul Wahab, a member of the royal lineage.

However, his name and history are not widely known today due to a lack of information caused by the British colonialists, who opposed and destroyed his identity to serve their own interests at the time. Nevertheless, for the Malays of Perak who lived around the late 1900s, there are still those who recognize and know of this figure.

He also held the hereditary titles of Toh Muda and the 11th Orang Kaya-Kaya Panglima Kinta. However, due to certain factors in that era, he relinquished the positions and withdrew. Kampung Kuchai was the second settlement opened after Pengkalan Pegoh, which at that time served as the main town and administrative and business center for the Malays before the existence of Ipoh Town. Pengkalan Pegoh was under the ownership and authority of his father, Dato’ Sadewa Domba, who also held the hereditary title of Orang Kaya-Kaya Seri Amar Bangsa Di-Raja, the 9th Dato’ Panglima Kinta. He migrated with his children and wife to open Kampung Kuchai and established several tin mines at the time. His wife came from the family of Panglima Bukit Gantang, also a prominent figure in our nation's history. Paloh was part of the Kampung Kuchai area at that time, serving as a center for tin ore cleaning and an early settlement for Chinese immigrants who worked in the mines owned by Dato’ Sadewa Ngah Abdul Wahab. The Malays there were appointed to manage matters related to mining and the tin trade under his direction.

Kampung Kuchai holds much of the history of Malay civilization and the development of the Malay community at that time. However, due to the attitudes and powers of the colonialists who interfered with and opposed the Malay authorities, the glorious history of Kampung Kuchai was lost to time. Today, Kampung Kuchai has become a neglected area inhabited by small traders running vehicle repair workshops, while others use it as a place to stay for those who are less fortunate. Proposals from relevant parties to develop Kampung Kuchai as a historical heritage site for Ipoh City have been made, but could not be implemented because the heirs of this figure were not found, leading relevant parties to consider Kampung Kuchai as "HEIRLESS." However, on June 30, 2017, a report by Balqis Jazimah in Berita Harian brought the rightful heirs of this figure forward. The suggestion put forward by the President of the Perak Heritage Association, Mohd Taib Mohamed, in Berita Harian helped the heirs come forward, supported by advocates for this family, to claim the abandoned lands owned by the descendants of Dato’ Panglima Kinta Sadewa Ngah Abdul Wahab. A statement from the eldest heir during a recent visit to Kampung Kuchai indicated that efforts by the heirs to search for and claim all properties owned by this figure have been ongoing for the past 60 years. However, a lack of information sources and cooperation from certain relevant parties hindered the search and claim process. He also stated that this occurred due to past history related to power and status, which caused the previous sole heir to leave, even though all relevant documents were bequeathed to his heirs to pursue the search and claim. This situation also invited irresponsible individuals to take advantage, making the efforts even more difficult at the time. In his statement, he added that in early 2009, a group was formed within this family, consisting of the second generation from the eldest heir, which has been pursuing these efforts to this day. Through their efforts, combined with the help of external supporters of this family institution, it seems that the search and claim process will soon be realized.

It is not just Kampung Kuchai; there are many other lands owned by Dato’ Sadewa, also known as Orang Kaya-Kaya Dato’ Panglima Kinta Ngah Abdul Wahab, that are abandoned in the state of Perak and have yet to be claimed by his heirs, even though some were sold by opportunistic parties in the past. However, it is said that almost all information and verification through supporting documents for ownership confirmation have been obtained for the process to proceed soon. This will also help resolve the difficulties faced by relevant parties regarding the state's development process, as potential lands previously considered heirless can now be developed for the benefit of the general economy. The heirs also stated that they would support and cooperate if their rightful lands are to be developed, provided it brings benefits to the people of Perak. A volunteer, Puan Shima Yusoff, who brought a group of local higher education students to meet the heirs of Kampung Kuchai during the visit, conducted a session to answer questions regarding the history of the original owner of the village for research and educational purposes. She added that only the true heirs are more knowledgeable about the history of the settlement's opening. She had received various versions of stories and assumptions that could not be verified, to the point where she herself was confused and assumed that Dato’ Sadewa Raja Wahab and Dato’ Panglima Kinta Ngah Abdul Wahab were different people. After the explanation was given, she realized that the individuals she thought were different were actually the same person. This confusion occurred because she had never been able to meet the descendants of the owner of Kampung Kuchai. She also mentioned that she herself comes from the lineage of a Perak state dignitary on her mother's side.

Some information obtained from Puan Shima Yusoff also helped facilitate the ongoing efforts. The students brought by Puan Shima Yusoff to the meeting were also helped in obtaining the information they needed to verify the history of a figure who once contributed greatly to the state of Perak, which can serve as knowledge for the younger generation today. The head of the family's customs, Yang Amat Mulia Mejar Johari Baba, when met by the writer, stated that a media statement will be made after meetings with the relevant authorities are held to discuss several matters, where the abandoned ancestral properties could be developed if it brings good and benefits to the economy of the people of Perak. He added that this is not just about Kampung Kuchai, but also abandoned towns like Kampung Kepayang, Sungai Raia, and several other places in the state of Perak that have been proven to be owned by his descendants. If they are to be developed for the priority of the economic development of the people of Perak, especially the Bumiputera, his family will try to cooperate for the good of the general public.

Though it is hard to sow the rice Once it blooms, it is poisoned by others Though it is hard, strive until death God's promise will surely come to pass

Let others plant bamboo Let us plant rice Greed and envy are the traits of enemies Remember God and remember death

The rooster, the Jalak chicken Jaguh Siantan is the name given If it is a right, it remains a right Do not oppose the Divine decree

Cindai patterned and full of ribbons Attire of the child of Panglima Garang What is the use of much worldly wealth Good character is what people honor

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