Directory_and_Chronicle_1923 — Page 1405

TRENGGANU

With a territory of about 6,000 square miles, an extensive sea-board and a popula- tion at the 1921 census of 153,092, Trengganu is the least developed of all the Native States. The capital is Kuala Trengganu, where the British Agent was the only Euro- pean resident when the census was taken in 1911. There were only 20 Europeans in the State at the end of 1918. Mr. J. L. Humphreys, the British Adviser, in his report for 1919, stated: "The amendment of Treaty, bringing with it a closer form of British -control, made the past year an eventful one in the history of Trengganu. At the time of writing it is possible to say that the change to the new régime has been made smoothly and successfully. Progress during the year was hindered by a prolonged and dangerous food-shortage and by the want of trained officers (the British Adviser is still the only European officer in the State, there are no English-speaking subor dinates, and all correspondence is conducted in Jawi). But there was a steady expansion of revenue, and signs were observable of more enlightened ideals among the ruling class. The work of reform in this back ward State will be heavy and difficult; but untouched natural wealth and an industrious population make its future prosperity a matter beyond doubt." Under the new Agreement trained European officers are now in charge of certain departments, and evidence of the good work of the new régime is shown in the revenue returns, which rose from $183,723 in 1915 to $970,541 in 1920.

By an Agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Trengganu, dated May 24th, 1919, His Highness Sultan Muhammad bin Zainalabidin agreed to receive a British Adviser in place of an Agent, whose advice must be asked and acted upon in all matters affecting the general administration of the country. This brings the State into line with the other Protected Malay States, and should help to bring about a new era of prosperity. All that is needed to render Trengganu more Accessible is railway connection with the F.M.S. East Coast Railway system. Telegra- phic connection with Singapore was established in March, 1992.

Trengganu lies between latitudes 4° 30 min. and 5° 45 min. North and longitude 102° 15 min. and 103° 30 min. East. As there are no roads or railways and the rivers are not navigable beyond a certain point from the sea owing to rapids, it may be judged that there is not much communication with the interior, so that the population is restricted to the sea-board and villages along the navigable portions of the rivers. They are an ingenious and, for Malays, industrious people, and excel as boatbuilders and fishermen. They also engage in silk and cotton-weaving, and iron, brass and nickel manufactures. In 1921, 75,907 piculs of dried fish (valued at $1,001,733), 28,332 piculs of copra, 2,424 piculs of black pepper, and 6,711 piculs of tin ore, valued at $346,101, were exported. A bright future is predicted for Trengganu as a mining country, tin, wolfram and gold having been found. In 1921, only 180 piculs of wolfram, valued at $3,600, were exported, as compared with 2,567 piculs valued at $102,582 in 1920, the world's demand for this mineral having fallen off.

The principal imports in 1921 were: Rice, cotton piece-goods, opium, sugar, sarong 3, tobacco, condensed milk, machinery, and kerosene; and exports: Tin ore, wolfram ore, fish, copra, black pepper, and rubber. Revenue is raised by means of "farms" and duties on all kinds of exports. The State Treasurer returned the revenue at $547,619 in 1921 and the expenditure at $759.051, the corresponding statistics for 1920 being-revenue, $970,541; expenditure, $757,645. The total value of exports from Trengganu to Singapore in 1921 was $2,297,238 against $3,544,905 in 1920, and of imports from Singapore $2,574,946 in 1921 against $1,571,789 in 1920.

Regular steamship communication is maintained with Singapore. The rainfall and temperature conditions are similar to those in the other Malay States.