MAT KILAU

Unfortunately, the Sultan himself welcomed their arrival having been taken in by their arrival having been taken in by their convincing promises of wealth and luxury. Those who were opposed to the British were headed by Tok Gajah, Mat Kilau, Dato Bahaman, Mat Kelubi and many others. Because of the Sultan's attitude , they were forced to hide their intention and take action on the quiet.

The Evoke Against British by Mat Kilau.

Mat Kilau's evoke was between the year 1891-1895. He rose to fight against British Colonies for several reasons. The resident of Pahang J.P. Rodger, introduced few new rules and regulations which were against the traditional value's of Pahang's people. This evaded the anger of the local villagers. Pahang was divided into 6 districts and they were advocated under the Magistrate and Collector's administration. The Malays leaders were forbidden from collecting taxes but they were paid pence (according to their standards). Every Citizen of Pahang had to pay land tax and they also had to obtain license in order to search goods in the jungle.  

   This also made the Malay leaders lose their bowl of rice and also the decrease of their power on their very own land, Pahang. At the same time, Dato' Bahaman, formally known as Orang Kaya Semantan realized the rudeness and rebelliousness of the British colonies. Together with his men, he evoke against the British and its colony. This is when our hero, Mat Kilau came into picture. History of Malaysia tells us that Mat Kilau and his father, Tok Gajah helped Dato Bahaman. They became Dato Bahaman's main men. When Dato Bahaman evoke against British in 1891 , they lend him a hand. Mat Kilau's skill were proven in the Lubuk Terua war. This war evoke because British caught 3 of Dato Bahaman's men while they were searching for goods in the jungle without license. Furthermore, British build a police station in Lubuk Terua (Dato Bahaman's territory, near the bank of Semantan River), without his knowledge nor permission. So Dato Bahaman and his men (including Mat Kilau), attacked the police station and they managed to win over Temerloh. Mat Kilau was very eager to win this war because his 3 men was held in the very same police station. So they managed to take Temerloh from E.A Wise.

In this attack, 2 Sikh police officers (British) were killed , and 1 was injured. Through the open evoke, Mat Kilau and Dato Bahaman's followers began to increase, when 600 supporters from Bentong, joined them. They were also helped by 100 natives who act as spies in the jungle (to look out for enemies). They also had supports from Panglima Muda Jempol, Mat Kelubi, Imam Perang Rasul, Awang Noh, Che Ibrahim, Khatib Awang and Mat Tahir.Soon a group of Sultans lend a hand to British in order to catch and imprison Dato Bahaman and his troupe. As it's against the Malay tradition to against the Sultan, its seen as betrayal. So Dato Bahaman , Mat Kilau, and his troupe backed out. They went into the Kelantan and Terengganu border and took refugee there for a while. Soon after, Mat Kilau and his followers launched another attack. This was when they obtained support from a Terengganu religious priest Sayyid Abdul Rahman Al- Idrus formly known as Tungku Sayid Palloh who told them that they were fighting for justice not cruelty. So Mat Kilau, Dato Bahaman and their followers attacked Kuala Tembeling and managed to win over the Jeram Ampai fort on Jun 1894. However, the success did not last as the British were fast to act and they managed to defeat them. Dato Bahman and all his followers ran away to Kelantan and Terengganu for the second time. Hugh Clifford , Pahang's British Resident was assigned to catch the refugees of Mat Kilau's troupe in Kelantan, but he failed as he was supported by the Kelantan goverment and also the people. Dato Bahaman ran to Siam and died there. As, for Mat Kilau and his father Tok Gajah, they died in Terengganu.

The evoke of the Pahang citizens (including Dato Bahaman and Mat Kilau), it took a long time and lasted for 4 years (1891-1895). Even though British defeated them, but it (the evoke) left a serious impact on British administration in Pahang. Their goods collecting process was interrupted, and the administration was not running smoothly. This caused Pahang a terrible financial crisis, especially when The Negeri-Negeri Selat organization did not approve a loan. This crisis longed for a while till it became the major cause of Pahang's participate in the building of Negeri-Negeri Melayu Bersekutu organization on the year of 1896. Even though, but his will and spirit became the inspiration and perspiration of the upcoming fighters of right in Pahang. Mat Kilau left a great impact on Pahang and its people, even till now.           

Mat Kilau has very good personalities.
He has leadership personalities.
He always think openly.
All of the villagers believe him.
Everyone respects him not for his father richness, but his honesty.
He is a very strict person.
All of his friends respects and loves him.
His friend would die for him. 
  

The mosque was builded by Mat Kilau and Pulau Tawar people in the year of 1880.

  Mat Kilau is well known for his braveness, courage and as Malaya warrior who fought against English colonization. He is Tok Gajah's son who contribute a lot of things to this nation. One of his contribution is during Lubuk Terua war. During the war , he done his role very well and his braveness, strength and courage lead to victory.

    Not only that Mat Kilau is the person who developed small housing are near river in south Kelantan area. He did that with onepurpose. To avoid from being arrested by British soldiers to continue his fight against British colony in Kelantan.

One of his contribution which can be seen until this day is a mosque which situated in Kampung Masjid, Pulau Tawar. The mosque age reached nearly 200 years. The mosque is the place which developed patriotisme among the people who stayed in Pahang during British Colonization. The mosque was builded by Mat Kilau and Pulau Tawar people in the year of 1880. On 1923, the mosque was rebuild with new structure.