The British Residency system in Malaya when it was first introduced in Perak was not a success. Within a year the first British Resident, J.W.W.Birch, was murdered whilst having a bath on his boat on the Perak River.
The Residency system involved the appointment of a British political agent to the court of the local ruler who would direct the overall policy of state affairs but would not interfere in matters of local custom and religion.
J.W.W.Birch, first British Resident of Perak, who was murdered in 1875 (Source, public domain)
This system of indirect rule was introduced by the Pangkor Treaty signed in 1874 in which Shah Abdullah the ruler of Perak, agreed to the presence of a British  “resident” in his court.
As a result, J.W.W.Birch was appointed the first British Resident in 1874 and very soon he caused unrest among the local population by his insensitive interference in local affairs beyond his remit, such as trying to abolish slave practices.
His colonial boss in Singapore, Governor General, Andrew Clarke, warned him to stop his unpopular interference in local affairs but nevertheless he continued with his actions and ultimately paid the price with his life.
Frank Swettenham was under no illusions as to the difficulties faced by Birch as the first resident of Perak ,-
“Of all the States in the Peninsula Perak was probably the least well suited for the schooling of a Resident and the initiation of the interesting but dangerous experiment of Government by the advice of a British officer.
It had a large Malay population, people whose ancestors had for generations belonged to the place and who were saturated with ancient customs, prejudices, and superstitions that had to be learned, and many of which it was difficult to sympathise. It had an unusual number of Rajas and
Chiefs, each with some kind of privilege or vested interest.”
Abdullah Mohammad Shah II the ruler of Perak who was implicated in the murder and was exiled to the Seychelles but after several years was released to Singapore (Source, public domain)
In 1875 whilst staying on his house-boat on the Perak River near Pasir Selak he was speared to death whilst having a bath. The assassin was a local chief, Dato Maharajalele whose palace was nearby.
The assassin and his accomplices were captured and executed and Shah Abdullah was implicated in the plot and exiled to the Seychelles with his family and a generous allowance, although was released from exile after several years and went to live in Singapore where he received an a pension from the Government of Perak. The murder heralded the start of the Perak War with Raja Yusuf eventually recognised as the new Sultan of Perak.
Abdullah Mohammad Shah II of Perak and J.W.W. Birch in 1874, the year before Birch was assassinated (Source, public domain)
Dato Maharajalele has become a folk hero for many in Malaysia as someone who was martyred whilst bravely resisting British oppression and has become the subject of films and books although some historians have questioned this pointing out that the assassination had more complex causes in particular the rivalry between local groups seeking more power.
Birch and Swettenham in 1875, both standing front right in dark jackets (Source: KLCity Gallery)
The best account of the sad episode is contained in Frank Swettenham’s book Malay Sketches. It was Swettenham who succeeded Birch as resident of Perak in 1875 after his death, and presiding over the court as magistrate, he was responsible for trying and sentencing the assailants after hearing all the evidence,-
“The interpreter disposed of, Pandak Indut cried out, ” Here is Mr. Birch in the bath-house, come, let us kill him,” and, followed by three or four others shouting amok, amok, they leapt on to the floating timbers and thrust their spears through the open space in the front of the house.
At that time men in the boats could see Mr. Birch’s head above the mat wall; it disappeared without any sound from him, and a moment after he came to the surface of the water astern of the house. Some of the murderers were already waiting there, and one of them, a man called Siputum, slashed the Resident over the head with a sword. He sank and was not seen again.”
Swettenham states that Birch was killed entirely for political ends and not for personal reasons,-
“Mr Birch was assassinated solely and entirely for political reasons. He was white, he was a Christian and a stranger, he was restless, he climbed hills and journeyed all over the country, he interfered with murderers and other evil-doers, he constantly bothered the Sultan about business and kept pressing him to introduce reforms, while every change is regarded by the Malay with suspicion and distrust. This was his crime in their eyes; of personal feeling there was none, wherever Mr Birch went there were people who had to thank him, for some kindness, some attention.”
Nevertheless, the murder caused a rethink by the British and his successor, Hugh Low, adopted a more sensitive approach and decided to pay the local rulers an allowance.
A memorial to Birch was built in Ipoh in the form of an impressive clock tower which still strikes the hour although his bust has mysteriously disappeared.