[ Excerpts from the British North Borneo Herald ]
2nd June 1908
2nd June 1908
WE regret to have to report that
on the 4th inst. Paitan Station near Jambongan was attacked and raided, the
facts at the time of going to press are as follows:
" I t appears that on the
2nd inst. L. C. 299 Kehar Singh together with.P. O. 450 Anjun proceeded to Kampong
Batangan to serve a warrant to arrest one Kalahari
who had openly disobeyed the orders of the D. O.' The two police were
accompanied by one Musah a close
relative of Kalakau's and another
native. At 4 o'clock the same afternoon Musah
and his companion return to the Police Station hut
neither L. C. Kehar Singh or P. (). 450 Anjun came back and Musah informed P. O. 187 Pagat Singh
that they had been killed, when attempting to serve the warrant on Kalakau. Apparently
when Musah returned to the Police Station at Paitan he attempted to ascend the
steps of the house hut before doing so Pagat Singh told him to lay down his weapon, a parang, which he
did. He, Musah, then entered the
Police Station and seized Pagat Singh's rifle, clubbing him with it from
behind, he theft made a slashing blow at him with his parang cutting him across
the right shoulder and back. He fell down and managed to crawl into the jungle,
and took protection in the house of one Urai, who managed to get him away in his prahu to Trusan Sugut where
he gave information for what had occurred to the L. C. in charge. Pagat Singh
was subsequently brought to Sandakan where he is now being attended by the
P.M.O. Musah' and his followers numbering about forty males in all have looted
all the ‘kedeis’ at Simpangan (Paitan) they also took three Government rifles
and ammunition from the Police Station. Active measures
are being taken and it is to be hoped that the offenders will soon be caught.
The list of casualties is as
follows:
L. C.
P.O.
299 Kehar Singh killed.
450 Anjun „
„ 194 Ongkoh „
„ 187 Pagat Singh wounded.
P. C. Pagat Singh in Sandakan
Hospital is, we are glad to say on the high road to recovery.
Later News:—Mr. Brackenbury
the D. ()., reconnoitring with 4 Dyaks came into touch with Musah's gang who
fired on him wounding one Dyak. Captain Bond and 37 police arrived at Jambongan
by the s.s. Labuan on the 14th inst.
The Paitan
Expedition.16th June 1908
The Paitan Expediton has for the
present " fizzled out." Musah
and his few followers have evidently got no fight in them, and have managed to
disappear entirely among the innumerable little mangrove backwaters in Paitan
Bay. The Ag. Commandant with about 40 native Police, and the District Officer
with Haji Salahudin and some, thirty or forty armed followers have
"quartered" the neighbourhood for a weary fortnight with ho success,
and now some of the police have been withdrawn, Capt,
Bond has returned to Headquarters and a detachment of Dyaks from the West Coast
is being sent to assist Mr. Brackenbury in his search. .
As far as is known, Musah,
Kalakau, with some 20 followers, and a number of women-and children are hiding
in boats, subsisting on the' spoil from the looted shops. This state of affairs
caunot last indefinitely, and it is a little difficult to see what Musah's next
move will be. He is ah " Orang Sungei," or river man, and even were
he not hampered; with his women folk he would hardly face the sea voyage to the
nearest islands, where from all accounts he would not receive a friendly reception,
even if he dodged the boats which are watching the Bay. The District will be
kept well covered by patrols, which will serve the double purpose of harassing
Musah, and putting a little courage into the native chiefs, who at present seem
to he quite ready to fall on their knees at the sight of a weapon and cry"
Take my money but spare, my life." Rewards of §200 for Musah, 8100 for Kalakau
and some minor sums for small fry, have been widely advertised, and the capture
of the gang ought to be an easy matter as soon as they are compelled by hunger
to disclose their whereabouts. Mr. Hard wick has been sent to Klagan to carry
on routine work, and so leave Mr. Brackenbury quite free to continue his
search. H. E. the Governor visited Jambongan on 26th and 27th to discuss the
situation with Capt Bond, who returned with His Excellency to Sandakan,
arriving just in time to catch the mailboat for Jesselton.
PAITAN EXPEDITION.
17thAug 1908
We are in possession of the
particulars of the attack on Musah's camp, which were not received when we
published the telegraphic report of Kalakau's death in our last issue. It
appears that after some days of hard tracking, the punitive force, under Wing Officer
Mr. Prevost accompanied by Messrs. Brackenbury and Hardwick, found themselves
on Sunday 26th ult., in the near
vicinity of the rebels. An advance was made as quietly as possible through the
dense jungle, the police opening fire as soon as the rough camp could be
sighted through the trees. The rebels returned the fire for a short time,
wounding two police, and then took to the jungle in all directions, rendering
pursuit for the moment useless. In the camp were found 2 rifles, 16 parangs, 7
spears, 5 blow-pipes and some ammunition for the rifles, besides a quantity of
cooking pots and other impedimenta. The bodies of Kalakau and others were found
on the spot, and evidence showed that several rebels had been wounded, one of
whom, shot through the lungs, was picked up shortly afterwards. The officer in
command reports with regret that a woman and three children were amongst the
killed, having been shot in the first volleys before the camp could be clearly
seen. The escape of the bulk of the rebels was largely due to the fact that it
was impossible to fire volleys into them when they retreated, as a number of
them were carrying or leading women and children. The camp was in the heart of
the jungle, far away from any village or other habitation.
Some days after the attack a
Chinese woman, one of those taken captive by the rebels at Paitan, found her
way to the police camp, and reported that Musah himself was among those wounded
in the fight of 26th, having received three bullet wounds. It has not yet been ascertained
whether be has succumbed to his injuries. Wing Officer Mr. Prevost has returned
to Headquarters and Messrs. Brackenbury and Hardwick, with police, are
following up the small parties of rebels, whom it is anticipated will all be
brought to book within the next few weeks.
On Aug 19th 1908, in
Telaga ,there were rumors current that Musah had been seen or heard of in that
locality and that he was being assisted by the local natives, one Kadanding of
Neruntong being strongly suspected. Musah is a native of this part of the
country having only migrated to Paitan comparatively lately. He appears to be
related to everyone. Kadanding ,also a Dusun named Tangkub of Radup was
arrested , both strenuously denied knowing anything of the rebels.
Kadanding however thought better
of the matter and confessed to knowing where a party of them under Dieun,
Musah's younger brother were. He further acknowledged having supplied them with
food saying that one Siku had acted as go-between. Siku was also arrested and
offered to lead us to the place where he had last seen the rebels. This he did
with the result that we surprised them, shot one, took two prisoners, and
wounded a fourth who however escaped. The party consisted of about nine men
with some women and children. Two women and three children were found in the
jungle and were sent back to Paitan later. This took place at Lagatan about two
hours walk from Neruntong or Inaruntong as it is marked on the map. Regarding
Tangkub I was informed by one of his people that he and Digadong-Bakar had
harboured Musah at Radup for several days
and had threatened to kill anyone who informed Government of the fact. Digadong-Bakar
has been sent into Kudat Gaol bv Mr. Brackenbury.
Till Sept 1st 1908 ,MESSRS.
BRACKENBURY AND KOUGH are still " bushwhacking " in the Paitan
District after Musah and his merry men, but up to the present without any success.
Oct
1st1908
Two of Musah's lieutenants and
two other rebels have surrendered to Mr. Brackenbury. This leaves Musah with a
very small following, probably numbering not more than a dozen men all told. Mr,
Brackenbury is now operating in a district said to be famous for leeches and
thorn' bushes. His transfer to Lahad Datu will no doubt come as a welcome
change to him after nearly three months of ' bush whacking' in most difficult country.
Mr. Kough, who relieves him, will continue the chase after Musah, and, it is
hoped, will soon bring him to book.
From June18th to practically the
end of July ,time was taken up in going from village to village with Police in
search of Musah's party without success. All the villages between Bengkoka and
Jambongan Bay were visited including Talun, the place where Mr. Braekenbury was
fired at. The s.s. Chantek arrived at Kuala Talun on June 22nd, Captain Bond
and Mr. Braekenbury being on board. I found, their knowledge of Musah's
whereabouts was on a par with my own, amounting to nothing. Awal the head man
of Talun is by no means above suspicion of cornplicity. The natives in this
part of the country are a wretched lot, they appear to shift their villages
about every second year and make very large clearings from which the very
poorest results are obtained. A large proportion of them don't even make the
pretence of planting padi being contented with " mealies" and sugar
cane, the amount of timber destroyed by them is enormous. Mr. Braekenbury ,for a
second time on July 2nd was near Kuala Paitan, he being in the Chantek and
was for several days chiefly in the vicinity of the Kaindangan river near where
Musah's boats and "sulaps" were discovered. After first leaving
Kusilat the native tracks were very much overgrown and hard to find, they soon
improved however owing to the constant passing to and fro of police and
coolies. The country is nearly all under big jungle and- swarms with leeches. A
trained 'tight-rope walker would find great scope for his abilities in getting
along the logs which constitute the paths in many places, a most pleasant form
of travelling especially in the early morning while the dew is still on them. In
Paitan on July 23rd having passed through Apad' and Tangkarasan. Apad consists
of one house the inhabitants of which were all sick. They asked me for medicine
and they got it, the "kampong
" is deserted. At Paitan there are several Indian police under Sergt. Alia
Singh. It appears that in the second attack there, only a few shots were fired
by Musah's people, probably a small party " spying out the land." At
the time the, Chantek was at Batangan , able to get back to Talun in her
next day. News was received on July 2 th of the death of Kalakau and others
they having been successfully rushed by the police under Mr. Brackenbury, Prevost,
and Hardwick.
Labuk
and Sugut
Having handed over the station
business to Mr. Woods I left Bandau on October 8th in the
s.s Cliantel; arriving at
Kudat-about noon.— I met Mr Brackenbury in Kudat and loft with him for Talun at
3 p.m. the same day. After steaming for about an hour the " serang"
decided to return to Kudat the weather proving too bad. We left at 3 next
morning and after a rough trip reached Talun at 1 p.m.. The launch left again
about an hour afterwards for Klagan with Mr. Brackenbury. The police stationed
at Talun had no news of Musah or of any of his following. I left Talun for
Paitan on October 13th1908, this journey as a rule takes about 20
hours. At the time of my arrival I found about one hundred males at Paitan all
engaged in rebuilding their village on the site chosen for them. No news of
Musah's whereabouts was forthcoming but as Hadji Ali, who is acting as Chief
there, seemed to think it likely that he might be in the vicinity of Kupi (Ulu
Paitan) I sent a police patrol there, They were able to find out no news of any
value. Taking Hadji Ali with me , I started for
the Sugut on October 20th 1908,arriving at Sungei-Sungei the "same day,
the distance being less than I expected to find it (roughly about six hours),
The Chinese traders there seem to be doing a fair business in rattans and other
jungle produce but they complain, as usual, that prices are down. The corporal
in charge of the station, who also acts as Clerk, appears to be rather
incompetent. One of the police was sick so I gave orders for him to be sent to
the coast by the first opportunity. While I was at Sungei- Sungei news was
received of the Tangkulap " Amok." , Messages were sent to the
various stations warning them to be on the lookout for the murderer. After returning
to Paitan from Sugut I visited several villages and made a. trip to Talun and
Jambongan Lama. While at Talun Hadji wrote informing me that two people,
arrested by Sergt. Niun in the " Ulu " Kunanan, had
given"information regarding Musah and his following. I returned to Paitan
at once. The prisoners proved to Irigan
and a youth named Andu both of whom have been with Musah from the start though not in an
active capacity. They stated that Musah's party consisted of four as follows:—Musah, Pasekun ,Tunggal and Mundut with
four rifles (one damaged) and very little ammunition. They further, stated that
these rebels had made a prolonged stay in the vicinity of Kati's village and
were probably still there. This information was confirmed by Pangkain the headman of an upcountry
village who happened to be at Paitan at the time. Ausa and Yetam who took part in the raid were also said to be somewhere in
the locality. I started with police and coolies up the Kuanan river on November
2nd1908 , Kati's village being reached on the 4th about mid-day, Kati being arrested at once. He proved
to be the toughest thing in the way of Dusuns that I have as yet had experience
of and his lying was a work of art. He was quite horrified to hear that a raid
had been made on the Paitan station (five months before) and
was loud in his denunciations of these so lacking in respect to the Government as
to take part in such an act of defiance. He is a particularly powerful man and
speaks Malay quite well. Musah he
had never heard of and as to his being in that locality the supposition was
more than ridiculous. A night spent in handcuffs brought him to his bearings
somewhat and he acknowledged having met Musah on several occasions with three
followers (armed) and two women, an
interesting item of news being that Mrs, Musah had presented her husband—with twins! Four runaways from Paitan were
found in this village and sent back. Several days hunting round the neighborhood
revealed nothing but some old camping places. One Epil was arrested near one of them. This man escaped from custody during the
attack at Leasin. As a liar he is not far behind Kati. On November 10th1908, 'news was received that Aura
had been captured by Dusuns and had been handed over to the police at
Sungei-Sungei. It was Aura who
wounded P. C. Pagat Singh during the attack on the station. I left Segt. Niun
with a party of police at Telusus (" Ulu " Sungei-Sungei) with orders
that if he could do no good there to proceed to Lingkabau as rumour had it that
Musah would probably make in that direction
.and myself went down river to the station. Having taken over Corporal Anais
accounts and cash I proceeded to Paitan arriving
there about 2 p.m., November 17th1908. At Paitan I met Mr. Hardwick
who had arrived the same morning. I was able to get through some business with
Mr: Hardwick uext day and sent - theTudian police under Sergt. Alia Singh into
Kudat with ammunition and money as their services are no longer required at
Paitun. Leaving there at 9 p.m.
November 18th1908 I got to Trusan next night having called in
at Tanjong Semangat on the way. The Trusan accounts, took me two days to
collect. Some minor repairs are required to the Trusan buildings. At Tetebuan I
found some trouble existing between the Chinese shopkeepers and the Indian
Clerk there, Mal Singh, which later formed the subject of a Court case at
Klagan. This Clerk Mal Singh, does not appear- to me to be at all suitable, one
reason being that his knowledge of writing is practically nil. I met Penglima
Ijul for the first time. At Klagan I found the station neat and clean which
reflects credit on Sergt. Bhatter Singh who has looked after it well during the
D. O.'s lengthy absence. Joseph, the Clerk, had his office in good order also.
Up to the end of November and during December, my time was taken up at Court
work and general office routine. A good many large dollars have been brought
in, also Hong kong and other copper all of which have been forwarded to
Sandakan. There have been a fair number of Civil cases to deal with. The
natives have followed the good old established custom of getting as large an
advance as possible out of the Chinese traders on the understanding that they
will repay in jungle produce. If they do take, the trouble to go into the
jungle, which appears to he rare, whatever produce they bring out is sold to
the first buyer they meet and the Chinaman left lamenting. The Tidong dictum
that it is infra dig to work for pay is evidently extended to embrace the
repayment of debts. Mr. Hardwick came across from the Sugut on December
13th1908, he reports
the country through which he has been looking for a trace for a ‘rentis’ as
very difficult; he has however been able to cut through as far as the Bongaya
river. H. E. the Governor paid a flying visit in the Petrel on December
loth only staying at Klagan for two hours ; Mr. and Mrs. McEnroe accompanied
H.E. despite the setback given to the district by the Paitan disturbances it
appears that the 1908 revenue will be little, if at all, behind that estimated
for the year. I expect the estimate for
Foil-Tax to be exceeded by some eight hundred dollars. During October 1908 the
weather was passable but in November and December hopeless. In December rain
fell every, day. On December 30th and 31st1908 the station was under
water. The services of a launch not
being available, during January 1909 ,I could not visit the outlying islands,
the N.E. monsoon being too strong to allow of boat work. Sugut and Paitan were
visited by me in February. I went overland from Klagan as a report on the
nature of the country between the Labuk and Sugut rivers was required with a
view to connecting them by bridle-path. By " overland " I do not wish
to convoy the idea that one can walk from Klagan to the Sugut , it is only
after proceeding up the Labuk and Sugut rivers for a whole day that walking (or
rather climbing) can be commenced. The going is very rough and hilly and, as I
have already reported, the construction of a bridle path would be a matter of
great difficulty and expense. All was well at both Sungei-Sungei and Paitan. At
Paitan there is now quite a large village. Hadji Ali has been appointed chief
of same , he also acts as cleric, There were several rumours of Musah and some
of his followers having been seen at various points. Unless these people are
being assisted by trio villagers they must be reduced to the lowest ebb. The
rifle formerly in the possession of Diun has been recovered ,it was found
hidden in a hollow log. Two men, Subad
and Yawi surrendered themselves to
the police during January1909 , they
both took a minor part in the raid on the station. The extra police under
Sergt. Niun have been relieved by a similar number under Corp. Jemang. They are
on the hunt continually. Quite a comfortable rest house has been put up at
Paitan which has been frequently visited-by Mr, Hardwick during the 1st
quarter. While I was at Sungei-Sungei some women and children comprising the
family of one Gatam (a raider) were
brought in in a most emaciated and dirty condition. They had been hiding in the
jungle for months and stated that they had had great difficulty in procuring
food. The choice was their own. From facts that are coming to light it appears
likely that the raid will he traced to a conspiracy having Urai, the Government
paid chief, as its head, Musah being merely Urai's " cat's paw." The
collection of evidence will however be a long and difficult undertaking. At
Sungei Sungei every thing was as it should he ,the frequent visits of Mr.
Hardwick to the "Ulu" Sugut are having a good effect. At Trusan there
have been complaints by the Chinese as to the conduct of the Indian police there. Lance Corp. Kehar
Singh, who also acted as clerk, has been dismissed the police force with
ignominy Being guilty of gross impertinence to Mr. Hardwick the Assistant D. 0.
Nakodah Anggau has been suspended for dishonest practices, one Juan taking his place
pro : tem: (N. Anggau was,Govt. Chief at Paranchangan). I paid a visit to the
"Ulu" Labuk in March1909 . Beyond the beauty of
its scenery the river has little to commend it, the population being thin and widely
scattered. Nakodah Sibat ,Govt. Chief at Telupid, seems to be an intelligent man.
In this district however a higher value is set on activity than on
intelligence.
On the 17thFeb1909, I arrived back
at Sungei-Sungei and learnt that Mr. Kough arrived here on- the 11th
and on the loth left for Paitan and so I awaited his return here. He arrived on
the 19th. From then to the 24th we were busy at various work and on the 25th
left for Klagan via the new ‘rentis’ which goes as far as the river Bongaya. We
reached Klagan-oh the 27th, the coolies being quite knocked up. I remained at
Klagan until the 4th March as I was desirous of getting my mails and on the 5th
left for Sungei-Sungei via the Basai-Pamatadan track and arrived at my headquarters on the 7th at 9 p.m.
Here I received various reports that the Linkabau Dusuns, especially Diminsa
the headman of village Penampong, are constantly helping " Musah and
Co."' and as they have of old a most indifferent reputation I intend to proceed
thither on the 12th. I shall also look into the case of Urai who is supposed to
have gone there in 1907 for the purpose of inciting the Dusuns to attack the Government
,the signal for action being the attack first on Paitan Police Station. I also
received news here that a dead man, who is supposed to be Faring, one of Musah's followers, had been found near Tangkerasan near
Paitan Station. I omitted to mention that during my absence on the Ulu Sugut;
Gitam (who is one of the worst characters with Musah and who cut the throat of
Lance Corporal Kahar Singh) was on the Ulu Talidusan. Mr. Kough sent men to look but
Gitam was away from the camp at the time and so only his wife and children and
various relations were there, all of whom were brought in. I am very confident
of coming across Gitam's whereabouts somewhere-on the Ulu Linkabau as be has
consistently kept there, numerous friends helping him.
May
1909
The District Officer , Mr N
.Kough Labuk reports that he visited Sugut and Paitim in company with Mr. C.Skinner, who is learning district
work under his supervision. The district was quiet and nothing of importance
transpired. The usualrumours as to Musah's whereabouts were received but did
not lead to any results. The Police patrol follow up all these reports, and
though in every case, up to the present, the bird has flown, they are enabled
to bring in to justice the headmen of the villages which have given him
shelter. The preliminary trace for the bridle path between Paitan and
Sungei-Sungei was about two-thirds finished. The District Officer walked over
it aud states that it will greatly facilitate communication. It passes through
broken country, but with a few deviations to avoid difficult places, the walk
between the two stations will be reduced to one of only four hours.
With Mr. Skinner, I started for.
the Sugut on the morning of the 1st, getting as far as Basai that day. We found
the Tungud river very low and wore lucky in getting so far in one day. The dry
state of the path made walking quite pleasant and leeches scarce. We got to
Pomutudun (Sugut) about 1 p.m. on the 2nd and to Sungei-Sungei the same night.
I learnt from letters received from Paitan that a body found in the jungle (which
some time ago I reported to Resident as most probably being Aring's) was not
his, but that of Pasekun. Both Aring and Pasekun took part in the Paitan raid but Pasekun was the more important of the two us he took part in the murders
and afterwards carried a rifle. A reward of $100 had been offered for Pasekun. On May 8th we went on to
Paitan using the old route ; I hope in my ease for the last time. This journey which
usually occupies six hours took us eleven. The streams on the Paitan side were
almost stagnant. I have it to say for Hadji Ali, the
headman there, that he always has the place looking tidy. The rest house is quite
a comfortable place with a neat landing-stage and flagstaff and has a smart
appearance to which a lot of cuttings of flowers and shrubs supplied from
Klagan should add. 1 heard at Paitan that Musah and Mualas had been heard of
near kampong Liku, the people of which were assisting him with food. I at once
sent Corp, Gimang with police and a local Sajan named Dali, who has throughout
been of assistance, to Liku, from, which place they had but lately returned,
with orders to arrest Tinimbang,
said to-be the chief of those giving assistance. He was found in a shop at
Kusilat and did point out to the police where Musah had been (needless to remark some little
time previously). I was unable to go upcountry myself owing to a bad font. I have
had no further news from Liku but understand that Mr. Woods, D.O., Marudu has
visited the place. There were a few trivial cases at Paitan and I tried to get together
some evidence in Government vs. Urai.
It appears that in 1907 he went up the Lingkabau R. (a tributary'of the Sugut) and put
tentative questions to the Dusuns as to what attitude they would take in the event
of there being a rising against the Government by the people of other rivers.
They had the good sense to tell him they would take no part as they remembered the
trouble, they had got themselves into during the Md. Salleh disturbances. In my opinion this man Urai engineered the whole affair. It
appears that bo was at loggerheads with the Sikh clerk. When the first two police were
murdered he, although armed with a double-barrelled rifle, looked calmly on,
making no effort to assist them. Nor did he warn the two police remaining at
the police station as he could have done, While at Paitan; Hadji Ali showed me
a letter from the clerk Kehar Singh dated May 4th 1908. This was written to Hadji
Ali who was then on the Sugut and in it the clerk stated that Musah had made known his intention of
making trouble so, if this letter is a true one, the police have only themselves
to blame for their unpreparedness, I paid my first visit to Dalamas village on
the 14th and 15th of May1909. It is a neat little place. The Sajans have a few
houses near the landing place and further inland there are about fifteen "
Orang-Sungei "houses laid out in a proper line. The traces of old timber workings
are still to be seen. A ‘rentis’, fourteen feet wide, has
been cut during May between Paitan and Sungei-Sungei, I walked over it on May
17th it being then about
two-thirds finisher! and,/although going slowly with frequent stops, the journey
took only six hours. It passes through fairly broken country but I am sure can
he shortened and improved upon enough to render the journey a four hours matter.
Leaving Sungei-Sungei on the 22nd we arrived at Trusan next
forenoon. The trip took about 21 hours and is most
uninteresting. There is not a single house between the two! places and the
monotony is only broken by an occasional glimpse of wild pig or "
Orang-Sungei" rotan-hunter. There wus little to do at Trusan beyond paying
the. police and,, looking in to the accounts. The place wears its everyday dead
and alive look of inactivity. One thing-to be said for Trusan is that abundance of sea
fish of the best quality can usually be obtained thore. I parted from Mr. Skinner
at Trusan, he returning to Sungei-Sungei, I proceeding to Tanjong-Semangat at
which place I received the news of the sentences passed on the Paitan raiders
in Sandakan. They seem to he very fitting. Leaving Tanjong-Semangat at
day-break on the 27th in the Government "sapit" with a fair wind I
was able to stop at Tetabuan, take over the accounts there and still get well up the Labuk river
before dark. This may be considered a good trip. I arrived back at Klagan
earlv on the morning of May. 28th. Mr. RW. Clarke came up river in the s.s Cavarron
during the month and proceeded to Telupid and thence to where his Company is
working on the Kurumuak. I was absent when Mr Clarke passed through but
understand that he finds it more convenient to reach Kurumuak via the Labuk then
via the Ktnabatangan.
IN his monthly report for July
the D. O. Labuk and Sugut gives the following account of the hunt after the
rebel Musah :—
"Under the guidance of Mualas we proceeded to the Tangkarasan
river on July 7th in search of Musah.
On arrival at the so called landing place a wait of some four hours was
necessary, the tide being too high to allow of landing. When it did drop, some
150 yards of " n i p a h " swamp had to be negotiated, a feat monkeys
might well envy, before solid ground was reached. Next day a start was made for
Musah's hiding place which was reached after about four hours of most difficult walking through
swamps the whole way. It is perhaps unnecessary to state that we found the
place deserted; it had the appearance of having been so for some six days. The
" sulaps," three in number, were built on a small hill which had been
partially cleared for planting. There is a plentiful supply of fresh water and
had Musah once established himself there I think it most unlikely that his
hiding-place would ever have been found, we certainly would never have found it
without a guide. We returned to Liku thinking it most likely that Musah would go there looking for food.
The return journey from the " sulaps" to the place where we had left
our boats was accomplished in torrential rain which, with the accompaniment of scores
of leeches on every part of one's person, never fails to add a zest to outings
of this kind. Every effort has been made to remove or destroy all the potatoes
at the now deserted village of Liku as, until this is done, Musah will be able to
procure food with the minimum of risk of being captured. It is a considerable
undertaking as the clearing is a very large one."
On the 23rd, Mr. Lambert
telephoned from Mempakad that two Bajaus had arrived overnight from Limawan
with sensational' news to the effect that Hadji Salihudin, the Imaum at Kudat
had received word that his brother Hadji Ali (the Paitan clerk) had been shot
and the ' t u a 'wounded by Musah ! Luckily, I knew Hadji Ali happened to have
only just left Kusilad, and the same day he removed all doubt by appearing in
person at Limawan. The origin of the fallacious report remains a mystery, and
affords a typical instance of the unreliability 6f native rumours. Curiously enough
Hadji Ali managed to reverse the story of his death by catching Musah's younger
brother,-Mualas and a man named Aring. This reduces the rebel party to
three, namely Mandut, Ambak and Musah
who has one rifle with only five rounds of ammunition left.
From the District reports for
July and August1909, the district of Labuk and Sugut appears to be quiet and prosperous.
The D; O. anticipates that this year's revenue will well exceed the estimated
amount. The presence of the rebel Musah.in
the District still provides much extra work although t h e man is a
fugitive without followers. Mr. Kough sends a graphic description of one of his
many fruitless journeys through almost impassable country in search of the
rebel, and reports that he is still pursuing the policy of punishing every
chief and other person convicted of harboring or assisting him. An indication
that the end is not far off is evidenced by a whisper from Musah which reached the D. 0. through
many hands to the effect that he would surrender on condition of his life being
spared. No promise of clemency can, however, be made. The Paitan—Sungei-Sungei
bridle path construction has commenced, the preliminary track through the
jungle being finished during June. Work will be slow and tedious until the
natives have become more experienced in the handling of their digging tools.
The D.O. reports that the. people regard
the newly cut trace with great favour, being under the impression that it has been
opened for the sole object of enabling them to get their rotan out easily.
Although this result will eventually be obtained, they have had to be taught that
teams of heavily laden buffaloes are not exactly the traffic for a newly
constructed path. Mr. G. C. Woollett was attached to the district on 8th July
for instruction. During August, the D. O. accompanied by
Mr, Woollett did the round trip
from Klagan to the Sugut, up river- as far as—Perancangan and across to Ulu
Labuk by Tutong, returning to Klagan by boat. This trip occupied most of the
month. Mr. R. W. Clarke having kindly lent s.s . Canarvon the D. O. was enabled
to visit t h e Timber workings on the Sapi River. An important paragraph in Mr.
Kough's report is one in which he states that the mouth
of the Sugut river is rapidly silting up, and that even the small tongkangs used
by the Chinese traders are now finding difficulty in entering the river. Mr Skinner in his report for Oct
1909 ,police patrol sent out under Corp.Sumping found no signs of Musah or his following in the direction
of Kusilad. While at Sungei-Sungei I received a report to the effect that one
of the Chinese traders there (Ah Goo) was cognizant of Musah's whereabouts.' When
taxed with having this knowledge he at first flatly denied it but afterwards
admitted having learnt from the son of one of Musah's followers that Musah was not
far away from Paitan. He had kept this information to himself for some
considerable time.
Labuk
and Sugut ,December 1909
My time was occupied at Paitan
from December 1st to December 9th by Court work and other matters.
Investigation proved what had already been suspected, namely that the Paitan
people had been systematically assisting Musah
and his following with food and shelter. That such a state of affairs was existing
under their very noses reflects no great credit on the police. Acting on the
information received from two youths, who acted as guides, a police patrol was
sent into the jungle on the 4th. They were successful in finding some "
sulaps " that had the appearance of having been hut lately
occupied (i.e. about four hours previously) which points to the fact that the
occupants had been warned by some Paitan people. That these people hang
together as they do is accounted for by the fact that they are almost all
related to each other in some manner. The " sulaps " mentioned were
only about five hours march, from the station. Several times during the early
part of the month suspicious characters were seen hanging about the village at
night and there were several eases of
thefts of rice from the road coolies " sulaps." Two local Chinese
traders are suspected of having screened Musah
from arrest. They are both claimants for compensation from Government for
losses incurred at the time of the raid.
Labuk
and Sugut ,April 1910
THE D.O. Labuk and Sugut reports
that on 22nd April the wives of Musah
it with two children gaye themselves up at the Paitan
Office stating that Musah had
teldthem to do.eo as he, was unable to feed them any longer.On the 25th
April, a report was received to the
effect that Musah .had been seen
about one hour's walk from Paitan ,and on the 26th April ,the D.O.
(N.Kough) went with Police and native allies and located a party of 3 rebels
with a rifle. Pasekun, one of the
murderers of L.C. Kahar Singh was shot and the, rifle captured. Latawan and, a
son of' Pasikun was captured but Mandut escaped. In the evening a boy
named Ali, a son of Musah came to the village and gave
himself up stating that he was afraid to stay in the jungle alone. Enquiries 'show
the Musah' himself was not with the party.
The new office was occupied on
the 19th being then practically completed. The building is a most substantial
one and should last many years. A new office was badly required as the February
floods had put the finishing touch on the old one. The work was done by a
Sandakan contractor, Lai Fat, who commenced on March 14th. The floor is eleven
feet off the ground. In company with Mr. Sommerville, who had reported his
arrival at the beginning of the month as Cadet attached, I visited
Monad, Tetabuan, (twice) and Samawang between the dates April 12th-16th
1910. A few matters had to be gone into at Tetabuan chiefly connected with
breaches of the Mahommedan marriage customs. As Emams are plentiful and as each
has some different "adat" it is at times difficult to arrive at the
correct state of affairs. The seed-pearl fishing has been suspended for some
months' owing to lack of mature oysters. A new office is being built at
Tetabuan. Samawang was visited only for the purpose of speaking on the
telephone in the hope of being. able to procure a launch to take me to Paitan
from which place had received news that Musah and his people had been in
evidence lately., No launch was available. I arrived at Sungei-Sungei on the
evening of the 21st having left Klagan on the previous day. What is
known as the Basai ‘rentis’ has lately been cleaned which simplifies the
journey considerably. The Sugut river was lower than I have ever seen it
before. The police at Sungei appear to have suffered a good deal from dysentery
in a mild form. This I attribute entirely to their carelessness with regard to
their drinking water. I checked the accounts and left for Paitan on the 23rd.
As I have already reported, the wives of Musah
and Mandut with three children
gave themselves up at the Paitan office on the 22nd; Pasikun, one of the original murderers, was shot on the 26th
and his rifle and remaining rounds retaken. A man named Latawan was captured. This leaves only one rifle and about 12
rounds to be accounted for. It is a mild satisfaction to learn from the
prisoners that never from the very start of things have they relaxed their vigilance
in the slightest degree. It appears that' the merest rumour that the police
were on the .move-was sufficient to cause them to abandon, what to them must have
been lands of plenty, and to make for the heart of the jungle. As an instance
of what they have been living on, we found near the place where Pasikun was shot
traces of a monkey and a small tortoise having been cooked in a piece of
bamboo. This formed one days food for three men. I had a good deal of criminal work
to go into at Paitan including a charge against a Chinese trader of having
collected Poll-Tax from upcountry natives and appropriating the same to his own
use. Eight local natives received varying terms of imprisonment for "
harbouring and assisting." The young rubber plants at Paitan look healthy
and ate growing fast. I was still there at the end of the month. Mr. R. W.
Clarke passed through Klagan on his way back from Karang. Mr. Joseph reported
his return from leave on April 23rd.
As has been reported in the month
of August 1910 ,the Paitan police failed to avail themselves of the best
opportunity that has as yet been afforded them of bringing Musah to book , three of them pissed him clean at some twenty-five
yards. Since then not even the merest rumor has been heard of him.
[ Pak Musah ]
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