The Grave of Mat Arshad, Translator for J.W.W. Birch

The 2-year search for the location of Mat Arshad's grave ended on the day Malaysia celebrated its 61st Independence Day. On August 31, 2018, we from the Perak Society of History Enthusiasts (SEMARAK) conducted an expedition to find the actual location of Mat Arshad's grave, whose story has faded from the public memory today.

Through written records by N.A. Halim in 1981 and with the help of an acquaintance from Manjung, namely

Ahmad Nizar Kamaruddin

as well as the local villagers, we successfully located Mat Arshad's grave, which is situated in Bandar Bharu, Pulau Besar, near the tomb of the late Sultan Abdul Malik Mansur Shah (the 19th Sultan of Perak). As an introduction for those who do not know who Mat Arshad was, he was an individual tasked as a translator for J.W.W. Birch and was also a clerk serving the British colonial administration based in Bandar Bharu, Pulau Besar, near Kampung Gajah. This translator for J.W.W. Birch was originally from Sumatra and is said to have been a Rawa man recruited by J.W.W. Birch to serve him. This was because Mat Arshad possessed the ability to read and speak English.

The skills Mat Arshad possessed, specifically his ability to speak and write in English, were very rare among other Malay people in the Malay Peninsula at that time, except for the wealthy, royalty, and the upper class.

Before serving J.W.W. Birch, Mat Arshad is said to have worked for the British government in Penang. It is possible that it was from his work experience there that Mat Arshad was chosen to serve J.W.W. Birch. Regarding the events at the end of his life, Mat Arshad was ordered by J.W.W. Birch to inform Dato Maharajalela about the British arrival in Pasir Salak, and he was also tasked with posting a proclamation letter in Pasir Salak regarding tax collection.

On the morning of November 2, 1875, while the Malay people were celebrating the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Mat Arshad went to post the proclamation letter as instructed, and that was one of the main factors that triggered the anger and uprising of the Malay people in Pasir Salak. J.W.W. Birch's actions seemed to challenge the warning previously issued by Dato Maharajalela not to do so, and with great ego and arrogance, J.W.W. Birch ignored it completely. Dato Sagor was among the individuals who went to meet Mat Arshad and J.W.W. Birch to protest.

When facing J.W.W. Birch and Mat Arshad, Dato Sagor immediately tore up a copy of the proclamation letter in front of them. Dato Sagor's action of tearing the letter was followed by the followers who had gathered on the riverbank, where the Pasir Salak Complex is now located. While J.W.W. Birch went to the bathhouse for his morning bath, the atmosphere became tense when the torn proclamation letter was posted again by Mat Arshad, to the point where Mat Arshad pleaded for it not to be torn again as long as they were there, and to tear it only after they had left. However, Mat Arshad's pleas were ignored by the crowd, who were increasingly angry at J.W.W. Birch's insolence. While an argument ensued between Mat Arshad and the villagers, Dato Sagor, Dato Maharajalela, and Pandak Indut arrived to tear down the posted letters. Then, without speaking, Pandak Indut and another person chased after Mat Arshad.

Mat Arshad ran helter-skelter in fear as he was chased with a machete. At the same time, Sepuntum was there and shouted, "We carry the royal command – amok, amok!". As they chased Mat Arshad, he was stabbed during the struggle and ran towards Birch's dragon boat on the riverbank. While he was in the river running towards the dragon boat, Sepuntum struck Mat Arshad's head with a single swing, and that was the end of Mat Arshad's life on this earth in the land of Pasir Salak.

You can refer to the detailed article on the moments of J.W.W. Birch's assassination that we published last year at

https://www.orangperak.com/perincian-kisah-detik-pembunuhan-jww-birch.html

for more information regarding the assassination of J.W.W. Birch. With the rediscovery of Mat Arshad's long-neglected grave, the Perak Society of History Enthusiasts (SEMARAK) will attempt to propose this location to the authorities as a candidate for a national heritage site.

Even though Mat Arshad is known as a collaborator who served the British colonialists, we are actually seeking the historical value. The historical story behind it is worth remembering and reflecting upon so that it serves as a lesson about what happened in our country. It is very valuable, and further research should be conducted by more professional parties at the location.

We have not been able to gather much information regarding Mat Arshad other than the basic biography as told above. The Perak Society of History Enthusiasts (SEMARAK) will conduct information searches to update this article for future general reference.

Thank you to those who were involved in the search for Mat Arshad's grave, both directly and indirectly. Without your cooperation, this search would not have achieved its goal.

• MD Team, brother Ahmad Nizar Kamaruddin
• Teluk Intan River Lovers Association represented by brother Muhammad Sahril
• Teluk Intan Painters Association represented by Mr. Maniam and Mrs. Ancy
• Perak Society of History Enthusiasts (SEMARAK) represented by brother Iskandar Zulqarnain and brother Freddie Aziz Jasbindar
• SEMARAK successors currently in training, younger brother Salahuddin Yusuf and brother Ali Imran
• Our fellow researchers, namely brother Azlan Sharif, brother Shahrul Afifi, brother Lordman Kerol, brother Shah Sunan AL-Bugis, brother Irwan Al Jenderami, and brother Malik Syam