Syarif Masahor

Syarif Masahor (died 1890 in Singapore) was a famous Malay warrior of Hadhrami descent [cite book|title=Power and Prowess: The Origins of Brooke Kingship in Sarawak|author=John H. Walker|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|pages=104|year=2002|isbn=0824825004] in Sarikei, Sarawak state, Malaysia during the Brooke White Rajahs era in that state.

Background

Before the arrival of James Brooke, he was a powerful member who ruled and, in the past, like Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapur, he was very influential and respected due to both his charisma in uniting the people of different races and beliefs, and also due to his lineage.

Resistance and death

James Brooke's expension policy caused disturbance in many parts of Borneo. In the initial agreement between James Brooke and the Sultan of Brunei, Sarawak was only a territory which stretched from Tanjung Datu to Maong River (Sungai Maong). Syarif's territory was far away from the designated area. Brooke's encroachment into local leaders' territory caused many locals to rebel, including Syarif Masahor.

When James Brooke departed for England at the end of 1857 and leaving his nephew Charles behind to monitor the rule; this allowed Masahor's plan to start. In July 1859, Masahor and his army attacked Brooke's outpost near Bukit Rejang in Kanowit. During this attack, officers Charles Fox and Henry Steele are being killed by Melanau people led by Sawing and Sakalai. This angered the British people throughout Kuching following the rebellion by the Chinese people.

In early 1860, Masahor ordered Temenggung Hayim Jalil from Brunei go to Pontianak for a meeting with Abdul Gapur. Together, they mounted an assault on Kuching(at that time, Sarawak), according to Masahor's plan in early February 1860. Masahor and his army wanted to come to Kuching through the Sarawak River. In the battle that ensued, the British forces gained the upper hand when Charles Brooke succeeded in ambushing and destroying all Masahor's ships. Faced with a defeat, Masahor retreated to Brunei, where he would seek a shelter from the British.

However, in 1861, James Brooke went to Brunei, in hopes of forcing the Sultan of Brunei to banish Syarif Masahor to Singapore once and for all. Masahor eventually arrived at Singapore, and he died there in 1890.

Aftermath

Even after the loss of Syarif Masahor, Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapur continued his resistance against the Brooke occupation of Sarawak through Pontianak. But the Dutch quickly captured him, and he was imprisoned in Betawi, Jawa.

Furthermore, most Malays in what was Sarawak at that time (presently Kuching) did not give support to Syarif Masahor and his resistance fighters because of their loyalty to James Brooke, as Brooke was deemed as a saviour from Brunei's tyranny. However, they in the same time did not give any support to James Brooke, as Syarif Masahor was claimed to be of holy lineage, descended from the Islamic prophet Muhammad himself. Malays, Melanaus and Dayaks from areas outside Kuching (largely Kanowit) rallied behind Syarif Masahor.

References

*cite book|last=Sulaiman|first=Haji Mohd. Hasbie|title=Perjuangan Anti-Cession Sarawak |year=1989 | publisher=PGI Cipta Sdn Bhd| id=ISBN 983-99640-0-3