Treaty of Pangkor

The Colonial Era · Treatise · 17 min read

What Did the Pangkor Treaty Change?

In January 1874, a single word traded away a country—and that word was "advice"

On 20 January 1874, a British warship anchored off the coast of Perak. On its deck, a document was signed. In that document was a sentence stating that the Sultan must ask for and act upon the advice of a Resident in all questions of administration— except for religion and custom. That sentence did not say "cede", it did not say "colonise", nor did it say "protectorate". But starting from that sentence, the sovereignty of the Malay states changed hands, inch by inch.