PENANG governor Francis Light was a British colonist who embraced Malay culture – becoming fluent in local customs, speaking Malay, and writing in the Jawi script, Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Merican said.
The academic reached this conclusion after examining the "Light Letters," a collection of 1,200 correspondences in 11 volumes, which detail communications between Light and Malay rulers, dignitaries, and traders. He reas the letters after helping Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) become the first institution worldwide to access digital images of Light’s letters from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
USM now offers this collection, the world’s largest of historic Malay manuscripts, online for free. The documents include letters, bills, receipts, and contracts issued by Light. Through these, Murad discovered that Light not only spoke Malay but also dressed like a native Malay in sarong and slippers.
Light’s maritime ventures took him across Bengal in India, Phuket in Thailand, Kuala Kedah, and Penang, the island he named Prince of Wales Island in 1786. Before establishing colonial Penang, Light, who was from Dallinghoo, Suffolk, Britain, had built strong ties with Malay rulers and Siamese officials from 1768. He served as a naval officer with the British East India Company and died of malaria in Penang in 1794.
Murad said Light’s letters offer insight into his strong relationship with the Kedah sultanate, providing a fresh historical perspective from the Malay point of view.
"Light viewed the world through a Malay lens in his dealings, which allowed him to establish Penang with minimal bloodshed. However, there was an incident when the Kedah sultanate felt betrayed and attempted to reclaim the territory, which Light had essentially leased from them," Murad said in an interview.
Originally called Tanjung Penaga, the island was renamed Prince of Wales Island and later became known as Penang.
Penang shares a complex history with its neighbour, Kedah, which faced constant threats from Siamese forces, while Siam itself was under attack by Burmese factions.
In response, the Kedah sultanate sought protection from British naval forces. They reportedly gave Penang to Light in exchange for arms and artillery to repel the Siamese forces, especially after the Siamese overran the Pattani Kingdom.
"When the promised weapons didn’t arrive, the sultanate attacked Penang in 1790, but the British successfully defended it," Murad said.
Despite the conflict, Murad said Light remained a close friend of the Kedah sultanate.
"Light repeatedly urged Bengal’s governor-general, William Hastings, to help the Kedah sultanate fight the Siamese, but his efforts were unsuccessful," Murad said.
Murad said the friendship between Light and the Kedah court endured, even through the sultanate’s frustration. Light’s immersion in Malay culture likely helped negotiations and strengthened these bonds.
“The letters show Light’s close relationship with many officials in the Kedah hierarchy."
Murad said Penang and Kedah often clashed over borders, disputes that were only legally resolved after Malaya gained independence in 1957 and the Federal Constitution established Penang as one of the 13 sovereign states of Malaysia.
Penang also plays a significant role in Malaysia’s political history. The country’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, retired and died in Penang, while the father of the fourth prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, was born in Penang before he moved to Kedah. Prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was born and raised in Cherok Tekun, Bukit Mertajam, on the Penang mainland.
Light’s legacy extended beyond Penang. His eldest son, Colonel William Light, founded Adelaide in South Australia, 50 years after his father secured Penang. George Town in Penang and Adelaide maintain a sister city relationship, celebrating its 50th anniversary on September 6. – September 6, 2024.
