Who Was Tun Saban Really in the History of Perak?
Perhaps many in our generation, especially those born in Perak today, would rarely say they know who Tun Saban really was in the history of the state of Perak. Tun Saban actually played a very important role in establishing the monarchical system in Hulu Perak and was subsequently involved in the formation of the state of Perak.
Who exactly is this Tun Saban who is often mentioned? For your information, loyal readers, there are claims stating that Tun Saban was the son of Bendahara Tun Perak. (There is no verified fact, only stories passed down through generations). Yes, it is true, the individual referred to is Tun Perak, who held the position of Bendahara Paduka Raja of Melaka, who migrated to Hulu Muar. Later, Tun Perak migrated to Bintan and Sumatra after the Portuguese attacked Melaka in 1511, along with Sultan Mahmud Shah (the 8th and last Sultan of Melaka). It is said that 12 members of Tun Saban's family migrated to Hulu Pattani and later to Belum.
In Hulu Perak, Tun Saban opened a settlement village named Rilap Reli, and subsequently, Tun Saban began his rule in Hulu Perak, which he himself had founded. When Tun Saban became the leader in Hulu Perak, he appointed one of his younger sisters, named Tun Perabu, to be the leader in a place called Temong, and from there, his sister Tun Perabu became known by the title Tok Temong. For more information regarding Tok Temong, you can refer to the article
Who Was Tok Temong in the History of Perak?
For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, Tun Saban had seven children, four of whom were boys and three were girls. The boys were named Tun Kelawang, Tun Undan, Tun Kelelang, and Tun Belondi, while the girls were named Tun Merah, Tun Dalap, and Tun Bongsu Bangsawan. His daughter, Tun Merah, is said to have become a concubine to Sultan Muzaffar Shah (the first Sultan of Perak), and Tun Saban's youngest daughter, Tun Bongsu Bangsawan, was married to Megat Terawis, who was the Bendahara of Perak and held the title Orang Kaya Bendahara Paduka Raja.
Regarding Tun Saban's importance in forming the state of Perak, he was entrusted with the task of finding a sovereign sultan for the state of Perak. You can refer to the article
Beting Beras Basah Menjadi Saksi Kehadiran Sultan Perak Pertama
for the story of the arrival of the first Sultan of Perak in this beloved state. Some have stated that Tun Saban also went to war with the forces of Sultan Muzaffar Shah I (the first Sultan of Perak) because Tun Saban, who held power in Hulu Perak, did not want to submit to the rule of Sultan Muzaffar Shah. There are also rumors stating that the cause of the war and conflict was because Tun Saban did not want to give his daughter, Tun Merah, to be a concubine to the Sultan. However, this is not verified and is merely a theory and a matter of opinion. According to information in the book *Hulu Perak Dalam Sejarah*, Tun Saban was slandered for committing treason against Sultan Muzaffar Shah, and a Perak dignitary named Megat Terawis was ordered to kill Tun Saban. Megat Terawis succeeded in killing him at a place called Changkat Merah, and that is also where Tun Saban was laid to rest.
Because of his service in killing Tun Saban, Megat Terawis was appointed as the Bendahara of Perak to replace Bendahara Tun Mahmud, who returned to Johor. Stories about Tun Saban are found in many history books related to the state of Perak, and if you have information on the exact location of Tun Saban's grave, please comment, as we at orangperak.com do not know the exact location.
