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Pasir Salak

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Pasir Salak is the place where Malaysia's modern history took shape. It's therefore part of Malaysia's cultural heritage. It's where the spirit of independence from the British got shape, where democracy was in Malaysia was born. However, Pasir Salak is little visited, even by Malaysians. And that's a shame.

Guide map of the complex

Getting There

Pasir Salak is located about 35 km north of Teluk Intan. Start in Teluk Intan the journey by taking the road to Tapah (A16). After a few kilometers take then junction to Kampong Gajah and Bota Kiri (A109) and follow this road for about 18km until Kamping Gajah. Cross the bridge and go left, it's about 1 km from the bridge (on the west bank).

You can make a loop back by cycling from Pasir Salak in the direction of Bota Kiri. After a few kilometers there's a junction to Sitiawan, follow this all the way to the end, it's about 12 km or so. You're now on the connecting road between Teluk Intan and Sitiawan, road #5. You can go from here back to Teluk Intan or continue to Sitiawan, about 28 km.

Pasir Salak

The Kompleks Serajah Pasir Salak is a well maintained monument to remember the struggle for freedom in Malaysia which started with the death of J.W.W. Birch, the viceroy of Malaysia in the 19th century.

Places to visit in the complex are:

• J.W.W Birch Memorial
• Pasir Salak Mosque
• Kutai Traditional House (Rumah Kutai)
• Makam Sepuntum
• Dato Maharaja Lela Memorial
• Birch's murder site
• Jetty
• Pasir Salak historical tunnel
• Perak's Menteri Besar Gallery

The museum

Terawong Sejarah Pasir Selak is a fine example of Malay heritage. The museum offers a good overview of the history of Pasir Salak and the ruling of the British over Perak. It shows photos and artifacts of modern Malaysia's history and the shaping of Malaysia as we know it now.

The Warriors Monument

The Warrior Monument was erected in 1990 as a symbol of bravery, courage and pride of the Malay warriors who fought against the British forces in the 1875 rebellion.

This monument was officially opened by the Raja Muda of Perak on 26 May 1990. The monument was sculptured in the form of a "sundang", a Malay sword widely used in the war between the Malays and the British in 1875 at Pasir Salak.

The Sundang is originated from the islands of Sulawesi Indonesia and brought to the Malay Peninsula in the 17th.Century. The blade of these weapons are similar to the keris (double sided blade).

The Sundang is mainly used for cutting and not stabbing as the keris. The Sundang is used in the Royal Ceremonies and named as: Cutam, Si Raja Wali, Sundang and Sada Maikah. It is carried by four personal named 'Kundang' on their right shoulders and was a much feared weapon in the war with the British forces.

The Mosque

The original site had a Mosque which was burned down by the British when they attacked Pasir Salak on 5 November 1875. The new Mosque was build on exactly the same place as the old one and was officially opened on 25 September 1964.

The Watchtower

The Watchtower is the first building you see when entering the complex. It was even used as a watchtower by the British forces.  It's a fine piece of Malay architecture.

Site where Birch was killed

At about 12 midnight on the second of November 1875 J.W.W. Birch disembarked from his boat named "Naga" Birch on to a raft nearby. His mission was to enforce British administration in Perak.

On the morning of the same day, Dato' Sagor and 50 of his warriors proceeded to meet Birch. They told Birch he had no right to post proclamations and enforce British rule in Perak. Birch was adamant whereupon heated argument ensued. Birch requested Maharaja Lela to see him. But when about to do so he was speared by Pandak Endut.

The riverside at Pasir Salak complex

Birch was killed while still in the bath house. This was the beginning of one of the most significant events in the history of Malaya which would eventually lead into the independence from the United Kingdom in 1963.

The monument of J.W.W. Birch was build by the British government around 1900 as a memory of J.W.W. Birch, the first British Resident who was murdered at Pasir Salak.

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