Ngah Ibrahim

Ngah Ibrahim was a Malay headman who succeeded his father Long Jaafar as headman and administrator of the district of Larut upon the death of his father in 1857. By the time of Sultan Ismail Mu'abbiddin Riayat Shah of Perak, Ngah Ibrahim had quarrelled with Raja Muda Abdullah II, the son of the former sultan who had been passed over by the Royal Council in favour of Ismail. Abdullah sought to engineer a situation where the British would recognise him as Sultan and sought the services and recognition of Ngah Ibrahim. In return he appointed Ngah Ibrahim as Orang Kaya Mantri of Larut in 1858.^[1] The two of them had a falling-out and embroiled miners in the Larut area in their dispute which eventually resulted in intervention by the British, the treaties at Pangkor for the cessation of hostilities between the miners, the recognition of Abdullah as Sultan of Perak and the appointment of a British Resident whose advice must be asked and acted upon on all questions except those touching Malay religion and custom.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

The wealthy Minister Paduka Tuan Ngah Ibrahim with his son Wan Mohd Isa (left), Mat Nasir (right), and Indian police (Sepoy) in Matang, Perak.

Through his mother, Menteri Ngah Ibrahim had an undeniable connection to Kinta. Unfortunately, this Kinta connection may have been forgotten or purposely covered up today. Those seeking more information regarding Menteri Ngah Ibrahim's connection to Kinta should study the history of the real Gunung Datok of Tambun and the legend behind it. It is also worthwhile to study local mining tycoons such as the mysterious Malay mining tycoon who hid behind the alias Kulup Lembang (well known in Tambun) and Panjang Seman, who were either living at the foot of Gunung Datok or somewhere nearby.^[7]

See also

• Chung Keng Quee