Page 246 - Malay sketches

MALAY SKETCHES

and the
those who disliked interference, preferred
state of uncontrolled lawlessness to which they were
accustomed.
Mr. Birch lived in Perak as its Resident for barely
twelve months, but to trace with care the reasons
why his relations with Abdullah grew daily more
strained till matters culminated in the assassination
of the Resident, would be to write a volume. It is
sufficient to state a few of the more prominent
facts.
First, it is necessary to say in the most positive
and
terms that Mr. Birch was assassinated solely
entirely for political reasons, for the reasons I have
He was he was a Christian
already given. white,
and a stranger, he was restless, 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 press-
him to introduce reforms, while
ing every change is
regarded by the Malay with suspicion and distrust.
That was his crime in their eyes ; of personal feel-
ing there was none, wherever Mr. Birch went there
were people who had to thank him for some kind-
ness, some attention. The Malays have always
admitted this, and, if it seems strange that I should
make a point of the motive, it is because Europeans
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