OF TILE MALAY PENINSULA. 20l 



about a satisfactory arrangement between the Bendahara and the 

 Maharaja, and this can only be done by the British Government, 

 from whom alone they would brook interference. 



It is said that the Bendahara, whilst unwilling to yield a yard 

 of territory to Johor, is anxious to make over his claim (a consider- 

 able disputed district) to the Straits Settlements, hoping thereby to 

 have the British Government for a neighbour with whom his peo- 

 ple would not attempt to quarrel. However this may be, it 

 would seem a question of no small importance to settle, as at 

 present, absurd as it may seem, the Bendahara is not confident in 

 his own mind that if he went to Singapore the grievances of Johor 

 might not be vented on his own person. 



Apart from the boundary question between Johor and Pahang, 

 it appears very advisable that the Straits Government should cul- 

 tivate more intimate relations with Pahang, owing to the fact that 

 Jelabu, almost the whole of the Ulu Selfmgor, and a considerable 

 portion of Perak, march with that State on their inland boundaries. 



If the Bendahara of Pahang, either from pique or interested 

 motives, should be induced to give refuge to any discontented Chiefs 

 and allow them to make Ulu Pahang a base of operations, they 

 could commit endless depredations in Selangor and Perak, and retire 

 again iuto Pahang with but the smallest chance of being taken. 



From the foregoing memoranda some idea may be gained of 

 the effects thus far of the policy instituted at Pulo Pengkor by Sir 

 Andeew Clakke in January, 1874. 



It is possible that it must shortly become a matter for the 

 serious consideration of Government, how long this policy can be 

 carried on, at least in Perak, without some advance upon it. 



Abdullah's impracticability and proved incapacity, his return 

 with easy circumstances to his former evil habits and his conse- 

 quent increasing unpopularity with both Rajas and Eyots, com- 

 bined with the continued opposition of the Ulu Chiefs, and the 

 difficulty of satisfactorily arranging the Larut debts, the enquiry 

 into which has shewn how utterly unfit the Mentri is to hold his 

 high position in that country, all force upon the Government the 



