Kingdom of Besut Darul Iman

Historical Malay Kingdom on the Malay Peninsula (1780–1899)

Kingdom of Besut Darul Iman
Kerajaan Besut Darul Iman (ms)
كراجأن بسوت دارالايمان (jawi)

1780–1899

Flag

Part of the northeast of Malay Peninsula in 1890, with the location of the Besut in Red, Terengganu in Purple and other neighbouring coastal Malay kingdoms in light brown.

Status| Client state of Terengganu
Capital| Kota Palembang (first)
Kampung Raja (final)
Common languages| Malay, Kelantan-Pattani Malay,
Religion

| Sunni Islam
Government| Monarchy
Raja|

• 1780–1835

| Tengku Abdul Kadir bin al-Marhum Sultan Mansur Shah

• 1836–1874

| Tengku Ali bin Tengku Abdul Kadir

• 1875–1881

| Tengku Hitam bin Tengku Abdul Kadir

• 1881–1882

| Tengku Chik Tepok bin Tengku Hitam

• 1882–1899

| Tengku Ngah bin Tengku Hitam
History|

• The foundation of Besut Darul Iman

| 1780

• Unification with Terengganu

| 1899

Preceded by | Succeeded by

|

|  | Patani Besar (D'Jembal Kelantan)

|

| Terengganu pre-sultanate (Johore)
| Terengganu Sultanate |

|

Unfederated Malay States |
Today part of| Malaysia

Part of a series on the

History of Malaysia

Prehistoric period

|  Paleolithic|

|

Lenggong Valley|  c. 2,000,0000 BCE
Mansuli Valley| 235,000 BCE
Mesolithic|
Niah cultures|  65,000-40,000 BCE
Neolithic|
Bewah man/woman|  16,000 BCE
Perak man/woman|  11,000-200 BCE
Neolithic Klang|  500 - 200 BCE

Early kingdoms

|  Ancient Kedah|  <100 BCE

|

Chi Tu|  100 BCE-642 CE
Langkasuka|  100 BCE-1474 CE
Gangga Negara|  c. 100 CE-1025
Pan Pan|  424-775
Old Kedah|  170-1135
Old Pahang|  449–1454
Srivijaya|  700s-1025
Majapahit|  1300s

Rise of Muslim states

|  Kedah Sultanate|  1136–present

|

Samudera Pasai Sultanate|  1267–1521
Brunei Sultanate|  1368–present
Malacca Sultanate|  1402–1511
Sulu Sultanate|  1450–1899
Pahang Sultanate|  1470–1623
Aceh Sultanate|  1496–1903
Pattani Sultanate|  1516– 1902
Johor Sultanate|  1528–present
Sarawak Sultanate|  1599–1641
Selangor Sultanate|  1766–present
Besut Kingdom|  1780–1899
Setul Kingdom|  1808–1916
Reman Kingdom|  1810–1902
Kubang Pasu Kingdom|  1839–1864

Colonial period

|  Portuguese Malacca|  1511–1641

|

Dutch–Portuguese War|  1601–1661
Dutch Malacca|  1641–1824
Pahang Kingdom|  1770–1881
Straits Settlements|  1786–1946
Siamese invasion of Kedah|  1821–1826
Anglo-Dutch Treaty| 1824
Burney Treaty| 1826
Naning War|  1831–1832
Kingdom of Sarawak|  1841–1946
Separation of Perlis from Kedah|  1843
Crown Colony of Labuan|  1848–1946
Pahang Civil War|  1857–1863
Larut Wars|  1861–1874
Klang War|  1867–1874
Pangkor Treaty|  1874
Perak War| 1875–1876
British Malaya / Borneo|  1874–1946
Jementah Civil War|  1879
North Borneo|  1882–1946
Pahang Uprising|  1891–1895
Mat Salleh Rebellion|  1894–1905
Federated Malay States|  1895–1946
Anglo-Siamese Treaty|  1909
Unfederated Malay States|  1909–1946
Battle of Penang|  1914
Kelantan rebellion|  1915

World War II

Japanese occupation of Malaya / Borneo

1941–1945

|

Malayan campaign|  1941–1942
Bornean Campaign|  1941–1942
Battle of Muar|  1942
Parit Sulong Massacre|  1942
Battle of Singapore|  1942
Sook Ching|  1942
Syburi|  1942
Sandakan Death Marches|  1942–1945
Si Rat Malai|  1943–1945
Jesselton revolt|  1943–1944

Formative period

|  BMA of Malaya/Borneo|  1945–1946

|

Crown Colony of N. Borneo/Sarawak|  1946–1963
Anti-cession movement|  1946–1963
Malayan Union|  1946–1948
Federation of Malaya|  1948–1963
Malayan Emergency|  1948–1960
Baling Talks|  1955

Independence period

|  Malayan Independence|  1957

|

Singapore self-governance|  1959
ISA 1960|  1960–2012
Sarawak Insurgency|  1962–1990
North Borneo self-governance|  1963
Konfrontasi|  1963–1966
Sarawak self-governance|  1963
Formation of Malaysia|  1963
Singapore in Malaysia|  1963–1965
ASEAN Declaration|  1967
Second communist insurgency|  1968–1989

Modern period

|  13 May incident|  1969

|

National Operations Council|  1969–1971
Declaration of Rukun Negara|  1970
New Economic Policy|  1971–1990
Federal Territory of KL|  1974
1977 Kelantan Emergency|  1977
Pedra Branca dispute|  1979–2008
South China Sea dispute (Spratly)|  1980–present
Federal Territory of Labuan|  1984
Memali incident|  1985
Operation Lalang|  1987
Constitutional crisis|  1987–1988
Peace Agreement of Hat Yai|  1989
Royal Immunity Amendments|  1993
Asian financial crisis|  1997–1998
Reformasi Movement|  1998–2022
H1N1 flu pandemic|  2009–2010
Sedition Dragnet|  2014
1MDB scandal|  2015–present
Pakatan Harapan takeover|  2018
COVID-19 pandemic|  2020–2022
Political crisis|  2020–2022
Bornean Amendment|  2021–2023
Green Wave|  2022–present

Incidents

|  Brunei revolt|  1962–1966

|

North Borneo dispute (Philippine militant attacks)|  1962–present
Singapore race riots|  1964
Brunei's Limbang claim|  1967–2009
Penang Hartal riot|  1967
13 May Incident|  1969
Ligitan and Sipadan dispute|  1969–2002
Kuala Lumpur flash floods|  1971
Malaysian haze crisis|  1972–present
AIA building hostage crisis|  1975
National Monument bombing|  1975
Campbell Shopping Complex fire|  1976
Sabah Air GAF Nomad crash|  1976
Japan Airlines Flight 715 incident|  1977
MH653 incident|  1977
Dawn Raid|  1981
1985 Lahad Datu ambush|  1985
Memali Incident|  1985
Sabah Emergency|  1986
Ming Court Affair|  1987
Penang terminal bridge collapse|  1988
Taufiqiah Al-Khairiah madrasa fire|  1989
Bright Sparklers disaster|  1991
Highland Towers collapse|  1993
Genting landslide|  1995
MH2133 incident|  1995
Pos Dipang mudflow|  1996
Tropical Storm Greg|  1996
1998–1999 Malaysia Nipah virus outbreak|  1998–1999
Al-Ma'unah incident|  2000
Sauk Siege|  2000
2001 Kampung Medan riots|  2001
2002 Taman Hillview landslide|  2002
Indian Ocean tsunami|  2004
2006–2007 Southeast Asian floods|  2006–2007
Bukit Gantang bus crash|  2007
Bukit Antarabangsa landslide|  2008
2009 swine flu pandemic in Malaysia|  2009
Attacks against places of worship|  2010
Cameron Highlands bus crash|  2010
Hulu Langat landslide|  2011
Genting Highlands bus crash|  2013
MH370 incident|  2014
MH17 incident|  2014
2014–15 Malaysia floods|  2014–2015
Sabah earthquake|  2015
2015 Plaza Low Yat riot| 2015
Movida Bar grenade attack|  2016
Kim Jong-nam's Assassination|  2017
Darul Quran madrasa fire| 2017
2018 Subang Temple riot|  2018
2020-21 Malaysia floods|  2021
LRT train collision|  2021
2021-22 Malaysia floods|  2021–2022
2022 Batang Kali landslide|  2022
2023 Elmina plane crash|  2023
2024 Lumut helicopters crash|  2024
2024 Ulu Tiram police station attack|  2024

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The Kingdom of Besut Darul Iman[1] (Malay: Kerajaan Besut Darul Iman; Jawi:كراجأن بسوت دارالايمان) was a historical Malay Kingdom located in the northeastern coast of the Malay Peninsula, precursor of the present-day Besut District and most of  Setiu, Terengganu. A principality of Terengganu, the state was established in 1780 following the crowning of a Terengganuan prince, Tengku Kadir as the Raja (King of) Palembang Besut. The House of Palembang, a cadet branch of Terengganu nobility continued to rule the territory before it was unified with Terengganu in 1899.

## History

[edit]

Dutch vessels during the fall of Palembang in 1850s. The settlement in Kota Palembang was named after the Sumatran town, pursuant to the place of origin many of the early pioneers.

### Origin

[edit]

Based on the narration by Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah ke Kelantan and Tuhfat al-Nafis, Besut was founded by a group of Pattani and Sumatran pilgrims led by Che Latif, a Palembangese chief. Upon their arrival, they were met by a group of indigenous Orang Asli community who had already settled in the area. To resolve this issue, Che Latif negotiated for a relocation program for the natives, he offered fishing equipments to the community as compensation for their transfer. The Orang Asli agreed to relinquish their rights on the territory and departed for Hulu Besut where they established new settlement in the hinterland.[2]

Following the departure of the Orang Asli, Che Latiff and the pilgrims then constructed a settlement around the Besut riverbanks. The soil is suitable for rice-cultivation which the settler used for agriculture. The pilgrims also built a wharf to engage with regional trade network. The settlement was named Palembang, derived from their place of origin.[3][4]

Upon the death of Che Latif, the local administration was then succeeded by his son, Che Kamat. It was during his time that Besut was severely plagued by the piratical activities originating from nearby islands. It was believed that the raiders were led by Panglima Ebeh and Panglima Garang. The local chief then decided to request aid from the Terengganu Sultanate to combat the sea bandits. The request was granted by Mansur I of Terengganu, with the army being mobilised into the territory led by Tengku Kadir, a Terengganese prince.

The campaign was proven to be successful with the piratical activities being near fully eradicated. The bandits were forced to retreat to Pulau Perhentian following their defeat. As a reward for incapacitating the piratical traffic, Tengku Kadir was then granted the crown of Besut, with the style of Raja Palembang (Besut), while Che Kamat was then elected as an Orang Besar, a local lord with administrative powers in Pulau Rhu.

In the wake of the establishment of the kingdom, the Raja then ordered the construction of forts along the Besut River, close to Kota Palembang. He then relocated the capital to Kampong Raja. His rule witnessed a period of relative calm and stability in the territory.

### The Besut revolt

[edit]

Tengku Ali ascended the throne as the second Raja Palembang following the death of Tengku Kadir in 1835. The reign of Tengku Ali witnessed the growing intervention pertaining to the domestic Besut administration from the Terengganuan central government. On 22 November 1876, the second Raja Palembang staged a revolt for independence against Terengganu rule. The armed conflict known as Perang Besut (The Besut War).[5][6]

The revolt commenced during the absence of Tengku Ali at the time of the installation of Tengku Ahmad as the Yang Dipertuan Muda of Terengganu. In wake of the peculiar absence, the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Omar then mobilised his armed forces to Besut. On arrival, they were met by a Besut resistance movement led by Tengku Ali, who was supported by an assembly of Kelantanese militia ready to launch an attack.[2]

Sultan Omar then petitioned his objection letter to the King of Siam and the Governor of Singgora, he also warned the Kelantanese government not to interfere with his dependencies. He then launched an 8,000-man army commanded by General Panglima Besar Orang Kaya Megat Seri Mahkota Raja (Wan Ab. Rahman bin Ali) to Besut. The General was assisted by Tengku Yusof Panglima Kedai Payang, Tengku Long bin Mustaffa (Tengku Long Pendekar) and Tengku Nik, while the commanders consist of Encik Musa, Datuk Bandar Jaafar, Tok Kaya Mahkota Haji Abdul Rahman and Tun Setia Wan Ismail Kampung Gedung.[5][6]

The tactical control was planned by Engku Saiyed Seri Perdana (Engku Saiyed Zain bin Muhammad), who held the position equal as the prime minister of Terengganu. He drafted a plan for a severe cannon bombardment launched into the coast. The battle was successful which led to the retreat of Tengku Ali north to Kelantan where he lived in exile in the state until his death. Following the revolt, Besut was then governed by Tengku Ngah, appointed by the Sultan of Terengganu.[3][5]

### Besut succession crisis

[edit]

The appointment of Tengku Ngah as the Raja of Besut was objected by Tengku Muda. Amidst the chaos ensured, Tengku Ngah abdicated from his position and elected his brother, Tengku Chik Haji as a successor. The crisis escalated into the division of Besut, with Tengku Muda ruled over Kampung Lampu, while Tengku Chik Haji has his jurisdiction in Kampong Raja. The severity of the crisis led the Sultan of Terengganu to arrive in Besut in order to reconcile the matter.[2]

To resolve the conflict, the sultan took into consideration the geographical locations of the respective rulers. His verdict was in favour of Tengku Chik Haji as the King of Besut, due to his advantageous geographical location in Kampung Raja, compared to the western Kampung Lampu.

### Post-war recovery and growth

[edit]

The ratification of Tengku Chik Haji as the ruler of Besut ushered in a period of peace and stability in the area. He was awarded autonomous power equal to a local sovereign to preside over criminal trials. He also received taxation rights over the land. It was also during his rule that Besut witnessed the role of Islam continuing to flourish in the area with the establishment of religious institutions, various waqfs, police stations, among other. The palatial residence, built during his reign in 1878 still stands today.[2][7]

The last king in the Royal House of Palembang was Tengku Ngah. He was known to be a reserved, but a caring leader towards his subjects in Palembang and Kampung Raja. He managed to continue the development projects in Besut parallel to the reign of presiding Tengku Chik Haji. It was recorded that the Royal Commissioner from Terengganu often visited the town to obtain materials for the Bunga Mas tribute procession to Bangkok. He ruled Besut for 19 years until his death in 1899.[8]

### Reunification

[edit]

The death of Tengku Ngah marks the end of the royal institution in Besut. Since Tengku Ngah died without appointing an heir, the local administration was then inherited to Tengku Long (Tengku Seri Indera Segera) in 1899, a member of the Palembang-Besut Dynasty. He acquired the position as a Royal Commissioner of Terengganu, instead of the earlier Kingship title as his predecessors. Following the demise of Tengku Long, Besut was directly ruled from Terengganu with the subsequent Royal Commissioners were not of the Palembangese lineage.[2][8]

## Rulers of Palembang–Besut, 1780–1899

[edit]

Throughout its history, Besut was ruled by the descendants of Tengku Abdul Kadir, the progenitor of the House of Palembang (Besut).

Raja (The King of) Palembang-Besut | In office

|

Tengku Abdul Kadir ibni Sultan Mansur Riayat Syah | 1780–1835
Tengku Ali bin Tengku Abdul Kadir | 1836–1874
Tengku Hitam bin Tengku Abdul Kadir | 1875–1881
Tengku Cik Tepok bin Tengku Abdul Kadir | 1881–1882
Tengku Ngah bin Tengku Hitam | 1882–1899

## References

[edit]

1. ^ World of Royalty 2017
2. ^ a b c d e Pulau Perhentian 2017
3. ^ a b Kuala Terengganu Post 2017
4. ^ Syazwan Safwan 2010
5. ^ a b c Arung 2012
6. ^ a b Ganupedia 2017
7. ^ Manirah Othman 2009
8. ^ a b Utusan Malaysia 1998

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Pulau Perhentian (2017), Sejarah Daerah Besut, Anjung
* Manirah Othman (2009), Istana Masa Kecil, Kosmo, archived from the original on 7 November 2017, retrieved 6 November 2017
* Kuala Terengganu Post (2017), Besut Sebuah Negara, Itu Hanya Tinggal Sejarah, Kuala Terengganu Post, archived from the original on 7 November 2017, retrieved 6 November 2017
* Utusan Malaysia (1998), "Besut dalam lipatan sejarah", Utusan Malaysia, archived from the original on 5 March 2016, retrieved 6 November 2017
* Arung (2012), Tengku Yusuf Panglima menyertai Peperangan Besut 1875, Arung Bugis
* Ganupedia (2017), Peperangan Besut, Ensikopledia Terengganu, archived from the original on 23 February 2020, retrieved 6 November 2017
* Syazwan Safwan (2010), Sejarah Besut, negeri beraja satu masa lalu., Alami Terengganu
* World of Royalty (2017), Terengganu, archived from the original on 7 December 2019, retrieved 6 November 2017

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