JOURNAL 



OP 



THE ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



No. 42.— June, 1835. 



I. — On the Government and History of Naning in the Malay Peninsula. 

 By Lieut. J. T. Newbold, 23rd Regt. Madras Nat. Inf. 



Native Government of Naning. — The Government of Naning, set 

 ting aside its connexion with the European powers at Malacca, which 

 interfered very little in its internal organization, was at once feudal 

 and pastoral in its character. The classification of the people into 

 tribes was nearly as well defined as that of the children of Israel, 

 described by Moses in the Pentateuch. 



Panghulus.- -The office of Panghulu has been hereditary, subject to 

 the approbation of the Government at Malacca, agreeably, generally, 

 to the Menangkabowe law of succession of the Anak Perpdti Sabd- 

 tang, or the Tromba Pusdka Menangkabowe. The right of succession 

 devolving upon the eldest male child of the sister ; who however 

 may be set aside in case of imbecility or other causes. This singular 

 law of succession prevails throughout Naning. 



The last Panghulus of Naning were of the tribe Se Melongan. 

 They were generally brought down by the four heads of tribes, or 

 Ampat Siiku, to Malacca, to be confirmed by the European Government. 



Juara' Magab, the first Panghulu of the last line, arrogated to him- 

 self the power of inflicting capital punishment on the inhabitants con- 

 fided to his charge. It was exercised and abused by his successors 

 until 1809, when it was rescinded by the British Resident, Colonel 

 Farquhar ; a gentleman whose name is held in affectionate remem- 

 brance by most of the Malays, both of Malacca and the neighbouring 

 independent states. 



The last death sentence passed by Abdul Sayad (or Dhol Sayad), 

 the es.-Panghulu, was on a Queda man, named Sali, in 1805. This 

 Malay had carried off from Malacca two Chinese slaves, a man and 

 p p 



