The Kurau district, Perak
N. Denison’s note documents the history of the hasil klamin tax in the Kurau district of Perak, tracing its origin, the conflicts it provoked, and its administration under successive rulers up to the British colonial period (pp. 349–352).
Summary
The hasil klamin was established when the Panglima Bukit Gantang and the Bendahara agreed to a payment of one elephant (valued at $250) and 70 gantangs of paddy ($1.75 per klamin) to liberate Dato Rejab, with the tax guaranteed by the Panglima and later endorsed by Haji Omar, chief over the Selangor people (p. 350). When Dato Rejab ceased payment, the Panglima mounted an expedition known as “Prang Panglima Bukit Gantang,” led by his daughters Inchi Limah and Inchi Mariam with the elite of Upper Perak. The conflict involved stockade battles at Teluk Rubiah and Kwala Kurau, with Inchi Mahmud of Teluk Rubiah ultimately defeating a Kota Lama party of 150 men through a feigned retreat and ranjaus (p. 350–351).
Following the war, Dato Rejab retired and his fourth son Inchi Mat Ali assumed authority over the district. Subsequent disputes with Sultan Ali’s Penghulus at Bagan Tiang led the Sultan to transfer his authority over districts from Krian to Kurau to the Mantri (p. 351). Under British administration, Mr. Birch granted Inchi Mat Ali a kuasa to collect the tax with a one-fifth commission, but collection proved difficult; the rate was reduced to $1 during the 1876 war and later raised by Sir Hugh Low to its present rate (p. 352).