The Forgotten History of Tanjung Belanja, Parit

Kampung Belanja, located not far from Tanjung Belanja, once experienced its golden age as the residence of several members of the Perak royal family. Kampung Belanja is separated by the Perak River, which divides it into two parts: Belanja Kanan and Belanja Kiri.

Like other villages along the banks of the Perak River, Kampung Belanja is a Malay village that stands alongside other settlements by the river. Other villages in the area include Kampung Raja, Kampung Tepus, and many more, which hold significant history from the reign of the late Sultan Ismail (the 25th Sultan of Perak). During the reign of the late Sultan Ismail (the 25th Sultan of Perak) from 1871 to 1874, he resided in Kampung Raja, located in Belanja Kanan. During the reign of the late Sultan Ismail (the 25th Sultan of Perak), the position of Raja Muda was held by Raja Sulong, who lived in Kampung Tepus, Belanja Kiri. When the Raja Muda, Raja Sulong, passed away, he was laid to rest in Kampung Tepus and is known as Almarhum Tepus Raja Sulong. His tomb is located beside the football field of Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Tepus, Belanja Kiri.

The Tomb of Raja Sulong

According to Frank Swettenham regarding the golden age of Belanja in his book, Malay Sketches, Belanja was a fairly large village at that time. There was a tax house built to collect duties from those passing through the deep and wide Perak River.

The Port at Belanja

However, in reality, that glory can no longer be seen today after more than 100 years have passed. Returning to the late Sultan Ismail (the 25th Sultan of Perak), he was one of the four Sultans of Perak who passed away and was buried outside the state of Perak, specifically at the Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum in Johor Bahru, Johor.

The Tomb of the late Sultan Ismail (the 25th Sultan of Perak)

References:

• Malay Sketches by Frank Swettenham
• https://www.orangperak.com/menjejaki-makam-sultan-perak-ke-25-di-negeri-johor.html