Background
Sayyid Mashyur bin Muhammad Al-Shahab is a famous Malay warrior who is a famous Malay warrior who is very influential leader in Sarikei, Sarawak. ke also can be known as Syarif Masahor or Sharif Masahor and died in 1980.
The biggest achievement which is already proven by Sharif Masahor as a leader is he can consolidate the unity of Melanau in Lembah Rajang with the unity of Iban in Sungai Skrang successfully. More than that, Sharif Masahor is actually appointed as a leader by Sultan Abdul Mu'mein from Kesultanan Brunei.
Opposition Reasons
Unfortunately, some problems happen after the position of Sarikei is being handed to Brooke. James Brooke obtained the area of Sungai Rajang from Kesultanan Brunei. He also dares to build the big fortifications in Kanowit as his place. These matters have been fully challenges Sharif Masahor as a leader in Sarikei.
The chronology of Sharif Masahor :-
| Year | Statements | Effects |
|---|---|---|
| 1855 | Sharif Masahor leads 150 boats to attack Mukah and to evict Pangeran Matusin who is a strong supporter to James Brooke. At the same time, Pangeran Matusin wants to expand his power in Sungai Rajang. | The position of Sharif Masahor in Sarikei as a leader has been stripped by James Brooke. Sharif Masahor feels very angree and cooperates with Datu Patinggi Abdul Ghapur from Kuching to expel James Brooke from Sarawak. |
| Sharif Masahor, Datu Patinggi Abdul Ghapur and also Temenggung Hashim from Sadong make a secret pact to attack Kuching. Unfortunately, James Brooke can detect it and get help from Belanda immediately. | Datu Patinggi Abdul Ghapur has been arrested by Belanda and imprisoned in Betawi until he passed away. | |
| A conflict happens in Sungai Sadong between Sharif Masahor and Charles Brooke | The ship and boats of Sharif Masahor have been sunk and destroyed. 64 of his followers have been killed. Sharif Masahor has being retiring to Mukah. | |
| 1861 | James Brooke asks Sultan Brunei to sign over Mukah to him as well as arrested Sharif Masahor. | Sharif Masahor has being thrown to Selangor. |
Finally, Sharif Masahor died in 1890 and laid to rest in Kerling, Hulu Selangor. Muzium Selangor still awakes of his tomb until now to give the tributes as a Sarawak warrior.
I am very doubtful about the claim that Masahor and Patinggi Abdul Gapur domed an alliance to overthrow the Brooke's. For one thing both denied it. There was no evidence that supporters of the Patinggi were planning a coup or that Gapor was organizing any sort of armed force in Pontianak (the claim that Masahor would march overland to join the Patinggi in Dutch territory seems an utterly absurd military strategy. As well, it's questionable that the Patinggi would have agreed to fall back under Bruneian sovereignty after being threatened with death and his family held hostage by Mahkota.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Gapor was expelled by Brooke, mainly at the behest of the other main, and competing Sarawak Malay lineage of abangan...that of Patinggi Ali. There again it seems they contrived a false rumor to "stir the pot". Brooke could have had Gapur executed for treason...but instead he sends him on the Hajj? On allowance?? And apparently doesn't then tell him he's banned in perpetuity from Sarawak (Gapur tries to return from Singapore but there is an uproar amongst the P. Ali descendants at his possible return. So he's exiled - on allowance- to Malacca. These actions indicate more that James Brooke utterly disbelieved the stories and that he was acting more to quell political unrest.
Then later he attempts to allow P. Gapur to return...again opposition by the defendants of P. Ali.
And when the Dutch arrest P. Gapur and he is jailed in Batavia, it's James Brooke that intervenes to have him freed.
Associating P. Gapur with Masahor was a convenient excuse to keep him out of Sarawak...but both men denied any collusion and both men denied any involvement in a plot to overthrow the Brooke regime.
So would the "heroes" deny that they were "Freedom Fighters " even outside the Brooke clutches? Would Brooke let both of them go?...and with P. Gapur on pension? And with large numbers go his family still in Sarawak?
Makes no sense.