Some 6km from the town of Teluk Intan heading towards Hutan Melintang, also the road to Lumut and Manjung, can be seen and old mosque beside the road which has its own history. This is Masjid Batak Rabit, the main mosque of Perak once upon a time...
In all our readings and research regarding the history of Perak, not once have I found anyone stating the mosque was one of the main mosque of Perak. Strangely, while writing this article at an Internet Cafe in Sungai Petani, Kedah, suddenly the rather big statement came out. When did this mosque ever become the main mosque of Perak? Why did I say this despite the fact that as far as I knew, nobody else have said so? What is this inspiration which suddenly came about?
Praise be to God! Before this, we never thought the mosque used to be the main mosque of Perak. What's important to me, it has personal connections to myself as the cemetery next to is an area reserved for my family members while the mosque itself was built within a land given out by the family, the family of Laksamana Raja Mahkota (Royal Admiral) of Perak. And so this story was original started as a nostalgic reflection on the mosque to be shared here. Never thought the narration could suddenly change direction like this!
It is known by researchers on history, the area around Kampung (the village of) Batak Rabit was once the centre of Perak's administration under the rule of Sultan Abdullah Muhammad II (1874-1877). Too bad, he was exiled to the Seychelles Islands in the waters of Africa as he was said to be involved in the killing of the English Resident to Perak, J.W.W. Birch in 1875... An incident which happened because the Malays were not happy with the Pangkor Treaty of 1874 which gave the English the room to hold sway in the Malay lands.
This incident and the following Malay-English war saw the fort of Sultan Abdullah, the palace and many related buildings destroyed by the English. Official history as noted now seemed to pass by the fact that Batak Rabit was the Perak capital of the time. Too much focus was given to the fight of Datuk Maharajalela, the Malay noble said to be most involved in the killing of Birch. And so not many know about how the Malay's crusade against the English was planned in Batak Rabit by the side of Sultan Abdullah, especially by his closest aide, Laksamana Raja Mahkota Muhammad Amin who was the great-grandfather to my grandfather!
How close are they? The official genealogy said that Sultan Abdullah and Laksamana Muhammad Amin are third cousins from the female side. But the unofficial one mentioned by certain people says they are first cousins on the male side, in fact the Laksamana can become the king! Ah... This words might not please certain people who wants the Laksamana to considered as just another noble! Let it be... Some day people will know the truth... Just like in Aceh during the olden days when a king to be often becomes an admiral (the Laksamana) first to go on the ground and get involved in the fights for the people.
Back to Masjid Batak Rabit's role as the main mosque of Perak once upon a time. It is in the old Malay custom, where there is a fort or city in which the ruler resides, there also must exist a mosque which becomes the king's and the country's main mosque. So what is so strange if it's true Masjid Batak Rabit was once the main mosque of Perak?
So it follows, if it is clear, the mosque was once the main mosque in Perak, so what does it say about the cemetery besides it? Under the old Malay administration and building code, just like there must be the main mosque next to the king's palace, there also must exist a royal burial ground besides. Methinks, enough of this words. Those who understand would know the truth and the true status of the Laksamana Raja Mahkota family...
very interesting story.