The Tomb of the Aceh Admiral in Kampung Pulau, Lambor Kiri

On the morning of June 13, 2020, the Orang Perak team had the opportunity to visit the tomb of the Aceh Admiral located in Kampung Pulau, Lambor Kiri, together with friends and acquaintances from Selangor.

We would not have found the location of this tomb if not for the directions provided by a local resident named Hasri Said. A million thanks to him! We were quite amazed and stunned when we first saw the tombstone of this Aceh Admiral. It is likely one of the largest Aceh-style tombstones in our country, Malaysia, with a height of 130cm and a 52cm x 52cm square base. The feeling of joy upon arriving at the tomb area, after who knows how long it had been since visitors last came, was mixed with sadness and melancholy upon seeing the neglected and abandoned state of the tomb, as if it held no historical value at all.

Upon arriving at the tomb site, all the Aceh tombstones found were slightly mossy, tilted, cracked, and some parts were broken. There were 3 pairs of tombstones, of which only 1 was found in near-perfect condition.

According to the records written by Othman Bin Mohd Yatim, there were originally 4 pairs of Aceh tombstones at the Aceh Admiral's tomb site, as explained in the image above.

1. Aceh Admiral (large type H tombstone)
2. Son of the Aceh Admiral (small type H tombstone)
3. Wife of the Aceh Admiral (type C tombstone)
4. Daughter of the Aceh Admiral (type C tombstone)

The types of Aceh tombstones used are type C (2 pairs) and type H (2 pairs). This makes it clear for us to estimate the era in which the story of this Aceh Admiral took place.

In 1976, the tomb of the Aceh Admiral in Kampung Pulau, Lambor Kiri received attention from the National Museum. A year later, in 1977,

N.A. Halim

came to the location to conduct research.

The tomb of the Aceh Admiral and his family has been preserved by the National Museum by installing a fence and gazetting the location as an ancient monument and historical site under the Antiquities Act of 1976.

According to records from an interview in 1981 by

N.A. Halim

with Malik Bin Dolek (the landowner), the Aceh Admiral is believed to be the leader of the Aceh war fleet who was killed while attacking the state of Perak in the 17th century.

In the records of Othman Bin Mohd Yatim, it is stated that N.A. Halim was of the opinion that this Aceh Admiral was actually an Aceh warrior who was killed while fighting against the Perak forces in 1619, although no source was provided.

By the will of Allah, we were coincidentally greeted by Afieq Abdulah, who is more affectionately known as Abang Mi. He is the son of Puan Misiah Binti Haji Abdul Malek, who is the granddaughter of Malik Bin Dolek, and he currently resides in Ampang, Selangor.

Also with us during the visit to the site, Shah Sunan AL-Bugis immediately grabbed his machete to clear all the existing bushes. Then, the operation to clean up and straighten the Aceh Admiral's tombstone, which had almost collapsed due to a fallen durian tree, began.

Many have asked about the real name of this Aceh Admiral. Unfortunately, his real name is unknown, and he lived during the reign of Sultan Mukaddam Shah (the 6th Sultan of Perak) and Sultan Iskandar Muda (the 12th Sultan of Aceh).

So, it is very interesting for you to read the articles regarding

Sultan Mukaddam Shah (the 6th Sultan of Perak)

and

The Legend of Puteri Limau Purut in Perak

which may have a connection to the reasons why Aceh attacked Perak.

The original state of the tomb, which was overgrown with weeds, has been cleaned up, and the tilted and broken tombstones have been temporarily repaired. God willing, when we have some free time, we will go back there to make further necessary repairs.

Thank you to the friends and acquaintances who attended to make this activity a success. Without your commitment today, it is possible that one important piece of evidence in Perak's history would have been lost.

The location of the Aceh Admiral's tomb area is in Kampung Pulau, Lambor Kiri. If you wish to come here, you can use the GPS coordinates 4.264945, 100.896375.

Thank you:

• Shah Sunan Al-Bugis
• Nazrin Suhaimi
• Abdul Rahim Mahmudin
• Ija Zahri
• Hasri Said
• Fadzil Malek
• Afieq Abdulah

References:

• Batu Aceh A Study of 15th-19th Century Islamic Gravestones In Peninsular Malaysia by Othman Bin Yatim
• Tempat-Tempat Bersejarah di Perak (Historical Places in Perak) by N.A. Halim (1981)