The Origin of the 'Orang Besar' Titles in Perak

Ismail Mokhtar Bin Mohd Noor, a student at the University of Malaya from 1974 to 1975, is the individual who authored this article. This writing is a study concerning the history of the use of titles for the 'Orang Besar' (High-Ranking Officials) in the State of Perak. Certain ambiguities in his research and writing were clarified with appropriate testimony by Cikgu Ahmad Panjang Bin Manjung, a veteran historian who resided in the Kuala Kangsar district at that time.

It is mentioned that Dato’ Sagor was also known as Pandak Lam, who held the title Seri Agar Di-Raja, and was also referred to as the “Orang Kaya Di Bandor”. His real name was Kulop Endot. The history of the use of titles worn by the Orang Besar of Perak in 1870 is as follows, referring to those titled:

The Four High-Ranking Officials (Orang Besar Empat)

1. Raja Bendahara
2. Orang Kaya Temenggung
3. Orang Kaya Besar
4. Orang Kaya Menteri

..and following that, there were also:

The Eight High-Ranking Officials (Orang Besar Lapan)

1. Dato’ Maharaja Lela
2. Dato’ Laksamana
3. Dato’ Shah Bandor
4. Dato’ Adika Raja
5. Dato’ Panglima Genta
6. Dato' Panglima Gantang
7. Dato’ Sago
8. Dato’ Imam Paduka Tuan

It is also mentioned that before 1870, the titles for these High-Ranking Officials already existed and changed from time to time.

Encik Sahabudin Bin Baki stated that, according to the 'HIKAYATUS UJIAN' manuscript, the titles for the 16 and 32 officials were not recorded in that book, which explains the meanings of the titles and their origins. Encik Sahabudin was also one of those interviewed by the author for this study. Encik Sahabudin further stated that in 1635, during the reign of Sultan Salihuddin, the Sultan mentioned in the Hikayat that when Sultan Muzaffar Shah I began ruling Perak, he was assisted by a Bendahara, and that Bendahara was titled 'Pembesar' (Official) by the Sultan. Besides being assisted by his Officials, Sultan Muzaffar I was also assisted by Seven High-Ranking Officials who held power over Seven Territories (Districts) in Perak before the arrival of Sultan Muzaffar Shah I in 1528. These High-Ranking Officials were as follows:

1. A Chief who held power in the Telok Intan district up to Bagan Datok (Kota Bandor was later made its administrative center).
2. Tun Pasir Panjang, the Raja of Kota Manjung who held governing power including Pasir Panjang in the Manjung (Dinding) district of Perak down to the lower reaches.
3. Tok Temong, who ruled from Temeng (original name), Pachat district up to the interior (north).
4. Tun Saban, who ruled Upper Perak, the Kelus Relap Reli district in the Belum sub-district leading to Janing.
5. Maharaja Genta (Original Name), who ruled from Kinta leading up to the Titiwangsa Mountain Range.
6. Tok Mahsuka, who ruled from Selingsing leading to the Larut and Gantang districts.
7. A Raja of Kota Beruas, up to the three-way junction of the canal, whose origins were referred to as Gangga Sanagara (Gangga Negara), a Malay Kingdom with Kota Kulit Kerang as its administrative center.

It is said that from the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah I (1528-1569) until the reign of the 13th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (1728-1756), the system of multiples began, practicing the Four and Eight Official ranks.

According to the Misa Melayu in the Hikayat of Perak's history, it is stated that the younger brother of Sultan Muzaffar III who resided in Barhaman Sakti, namely Sultan Muhammad (1742-1743), moved and resided in Pulau Tiga due to a misunderstanding. Sultan Muzaffar Shah III subsequently moved to Kuala Kangsar and ruled there. It was during his reign in Kuala Kangsar that Sultan Muzaffar Shah III first appointed the Four Titled Officials. Raja Alam Shah, or Raja Alang as he was called, was a prince from the Raja of Kedah who married Raja Puteh, the younger sister of Sultan Muhammad and Sultan Muzaffar Shah III. Sultan Muzaffar III was very fond of Raja Alam, so he bestowed upon him the title Raja Kechil Besar and appointed him to the rank of Raja Bendahara. Megat Pintal was given the position of one of the four officials, bearing the title Orang Kaya Besar. The Mu’Tabar official held the title Orang Kaya Temenggung, and an official appointed to hold the title Orang Kaya Menteri was Pakeh Yusof (Fakir), who originated from Sumatra (a Minangkabau). Only four officials were created at that time, and the High-Ranking Official (Tok Panglima Paloh) who passed away in Pulau Tiga had installed Sultan Muhammad as the Sultan of Perak. Thus, it happened that Perak had two Sultans ruling in one state. Because Sultan Muhammad was worried about the family split that could harm the State of Perak, Sultan Muhammad persuaded his elder brother to return and rule as the Sultan of Perak. He himself declared to the people that his elder brother was the Sultan of Perak at that time, and he returned to his original position afterward. Sultan Muzaffar Shah III returned to Barhaman Indra and ruled as the Sultan of Perak, and the four officials who existed when he ruled in Kuala Kangsar were not brought along to Barhaman Indra, including Raja Alam Shah. When ruling again in Barhaman Indra, Sultan Muzaffar Shah III appointed four new officials consisting of:

1. Megat Pandia (did not use the title Raja Bendahara because he was not of royal descent). He held the title Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Paduka Maharaja.
2. Tan Marasin, titled Orang Kaya Besar Seri Maharaja Di-Raja.
3. Tan Ban Tan, who held the title Orang Kaya Temenggung Paduka Raja.
4. Shariff Hassan, who held the title Orang Kaya Menteri Seri Paduka Tuan.

The above clearly states that the Four Officials title existed during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah III. However, besides the existence of the Four Officials, which was the first-degree title, it is also said that during his reign, there were also titles for officials of the second degree, namely the titles for the Eight Officials. It is told that the position of the Eight Officials was first held by a Bugis prince, Raja Haji Selili. The story of this Bugis prince began during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah III; it is said that another Bugis Raja arrived at Sungai Sembilan and built a fortress there as his shelter. That Bugis Raja was named La Ta Ta Ambralla, and he disguised himself under the name Nakhoda Hitam. It is said that Nakhoda Hitam was defeated in battle against the Dutch, who were assisted by a Bugis named Arung Pallaka, forcing Nakhoda Hitam to retreat and hide. At the same time, Raja Haji Selili was on his voyage home after completing the Hajj in the Holy Land of Mecca. It is said that he anchored in the same place to perform prayers. When the Raja Haji wanted to anchor, Nakhoda Hitam was already prepared to fight to defend himself. Nakhoda Hitam initially thought that Raja Haji Selili was a Bugis who was colluding with the Dutch like Arung, but when Nakhoda Hitam saw the kris in Raja Haji Selili's hand, the lower part indicated that he was a prince of the same lineage as him; after that, they became friends. After they became friends, they saw that there were inhabitants on the other side of the land. It is said that Raja Haji Selili did not want to return to his homeland and wanted to settle in a new place. When they were about to go ashore, Sultan Muzaffar Shah III received news that the State of Perak was about to be attacked by pirates. At that time, Sultan Muzaffar Shah III prepared all his troops to fight the forces of Raja Haji Selili, whom he thought were pirates intending to attack his state. Upon the arrival of Raja Haji Selili and Nakhoda Hitam, Raja Haji stated his intention that he did not come to fight the State of Perak. Sultan Muzaffar Shah III finally understood, and the Sultan of Perak welcomed Raja Haji Selili and Nakhoda Hitam kindly. It is told that Raja Haji Selili contributed much service and merit to the Sultan. His loyalty to the Sultan of the State was undivided. Because of this, Sultan Muzaffar Shah bestowed upon him the position of High-Ranking Official titled 'Maharaja Lela Pancung Tidak Bertanya' (The Executioner Who Does Not Ask). Thus, it is told that the position of the Eight High-Ranking Officials existed during the time of Daeng Selili.

The rooster is pitted, the male is tethered, If tied, it loses the fight, Acid on land, fish in the sea, Sooner or later, they will meet.

Peacock chick of Kampung Cina, Stopping to rest at the head of the path, Gold and silver are worldly greatness, They remain behind when one dies.

The mango tree bears heavy fruit, Sweet to taste and delicious, Customs spread throughout the world, Heritage customs are guided by the book.

Water flows to the bathing edge, Blooming brightly, the senduduk flower, It is good to follow the ways of the rice plant, Like a kris stabbing while thrusting.

- tokchangkatlanggor -