Naning


Naning is a district and a former chiefdom in northern Malacca, Malaysia. It is part of the Masjid Tanah constituency and is adjacent to Pulau Sebang. Naning had historically been part of Negeri Sembilan but it was annexed by the British into Malacca in 1832 via the Naning War. Malacca was a part of the Straits Settlements at the time.

History

Naning was founded in 1641 by the prince of Pagaruyung, Sutan Jatang Balun, also known as Datuk Parpatih Nan Sebatang.
In 1643, the citizens of Naning made and agreement with Dutch Malacca in order to maintain the independence and sovereignty.
The Naning War started in 1831 and lasted for a year until 1832. The penghulu, the chief/lord of Naning at the time, Dol Said, was enraged over British claim over Naning as part of Malacca. The British demanded that Naning pay 10% of its produce as tribute to Malacca. Dol Said refused, resulting in a British attack upon Naning in 1831. Dol Said managed to fend off the attack with help from his allies. For the first time, the British lost in a war in the Malay Peninsula. Towards the end of 1832, the British attacked Naning once again with a much larger force. Dol Said did not have the help of his allies this time. His army was defeated and he surrendered. He was offered a pension and a house in Malacca.
Today, Naning is known as the district of Alor Gajah and is placed under the parliamentary constituency of Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah and a small part at Jasin. Taboh Naning is within the municipal borders of Alor Gajah.

Politics

Prior Dutch rule in Malacca, the state were ruled by respective chiefdom within their own tribe area. In 1653, the Dutch required the chiefdom to elect among themself to become their own ruler, called Penghulu Naning. He would be responsible on leading the people and maintaining the adat perpatih customs in Naning area. The first Penghulu was Datuk Seraja Merah.
Naning were then ruled by Penghulu Naning, the ruler of four main tribe. He was assisted by nobility from each tribe.The rights to nominate the position is exclusive to Sri Melenggang Taboh Tribe.
On 1705, Abdul Jalil Shah IV of Johor bestowed Raja Naning with legal recognition of his ruling for Naning area.
In British era, the position were appointed by Malayan governor in accordance to area within Adat Perpatih Naning.
After the Naning War, the British abolish the position in 1832 to avoid further uprising. The British revive it back in 1920.