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Sunday, January 27, 2013

WAN MOHD. SAMAN MENINGGAL DUNIA

Pada 14.12.1898, Wan Mohd. Saman iaitu Perdana Menteri Kedah, telah meninggal dunia dan dimakamkan di Raja Langgar.

Beliau berkhidmat di negeri Kedah semasa pemerintahan Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin dan meneruskan khidmatnya di bawah dua orang lagi pemerintah Kedah iaitu Sultan Zainal Abidin Muadzam Shah II dan Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah.

Wan Mohd. Saman merupakan pentadbir yang terkenal kerana jasanya membangunkan ekonomi negeri Kedah melalui projek-projek pertanian.

Beliau telah mengutarakan idea untuk membina sebuah terusan air di sepanjang Kota Setar ke Gurun pada tahun 1885, Terusan yang dikenali dengan nama terusan Wan Mohd. Saman ini akhirnya mengubah Kedah menjadi negeri Jelapang padi kerana kawasan yang dulunya berpaya berubah menjadi kawasan galian yang luas dengan hasil yang banyak. Di samping itu terusan ini juga berguna sebagai jalan pengangkutan perniagaan antara Alor Setar ke Sungai Petani seterusnya Butterworth. Di sepanjang terusan muncul perkampungan baru seperti Tandop, Simpang Empat, Guar Cempedak dan Gurun, malah terusan ini juga merupakan asas bagi pembinaan jalanraya utama di negeri Kedah.

Sesungguhnya, Wan Mohd. Saman banyak memberi sumbangan kepada kemajuan negeri Kedah. Dari itu memanglah wajar jika beliau digelar sebagai Bapa Pembangunan Negeri Kedah memandangkan jasa dan sumbangan yang diberikannya.



http://burungapa.blogspot.com/2007/11/wan-mohd-saman-meninggal-dunia.html



Saturday, January 19, 2013

Research notes on Khalid bin Awang Osman

by Iszham Idris
These are some of the news clipping that I came across about Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman. I hope it gives us an insight of his contributions to the nation.
**********************

The Straits Times, 16 June 1955, Page 2 [extract]
PEOPLE and PARTIES in THE POLLS
Following is the full list of nominations for the Federal elections on July 27:
.......
Kelantan Selatan
Electorate 39,032 (Malays 37,436, Chinese 1,279, Indians and others 317)
Inche Khalid bin Osman, 30, (Alliance),
Dato Nik Ahmad Kamil, 45, (Party Negara),
Tuan Haji Nor bin Yusoff, 40, (Pan-Malayan Islamic Party).
........
Sungai Muda, Kedah
Electorate 27,435 (Malays 24,725, Chinese 1,546, Indians 601, others 563)
Tengku Abdul Rahman, 52, (Alliance).
Tuan Syed Jan Ai-Jeffri (Independent)

The Straits Times, 26 July 1955, Page 7 [extract]
A late arrival gets good rallies
Kota Bharu, Mon.
.....
In Kelantan South the former Mentri Besar, Dato Nik Ahmaed Kamil (Negara), is confident he will have a margin over Inche Khalid bib Osman (Alliance) and Tuan Haji Mohammed Noor (Pan-Malayan Islamic Party).
Personality may clinch the result for Dato Nik.

The Straits Times, 29 July 1955, Page 7
HOW THE PEOPLE VOTED
......
KEDAH
Sungai Muda
Tengku Abdul Rahman (Alliance) ................. 22,226
Syed Jan Al-Jeffri (Ind) ............................  1,239
Majority 20,987; poll percentage ................. 89.8

KELANTAN
Kelantan Selatan
Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman (Alliance)........ 21,746
Dato Nik Ahmad Kamil (Negara) ...................  7,175
Haji Mohamed Noor (PMIP) ........................  3,600
Majority 14,571; poll percentage ................. 86.1

The Straits Times, 9 May 1957, Page 7
Tengku is new head
Kuala Lumpur, Wed. - The Chief Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman, will head the new privileges committee, appointed by the Federal Council today, in place of the Chief Secretary.
Other members of the committee are Ministers of Finance, Education and Transport, Sir Douglas Waring, Mr K l Devaser, Inche Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, Mr G Leo, Mr Lee Eng Teh and Dr L H Tan.

The Straits Times, 23 October 1957, Page 7
UMNO members' bid to censure leader
Kota Bharu, Tuesday - The Ulu Kelantan division of UMNO is planning to call an extraordinary delegates meeting to pass a vote of censure on its chairman, Inche Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, A Federal Councillor.
The Straits Time was told today this was a result of differences between a majority of the division's committee members and Inche Khalid.
The committee members alleged that Inche Khalid acted arbitraily on many important matters.
They said that the present situation in the division should not be allowed to drag on for the sake of the party.
The Kelantan state UMNO committee is to look into the matter.
Inche Khalid, who is also the vice-chairman of Kelantan state UMNO committee, will be going to India to represent the Malayan legislature at the Commonwealth Inter-Parliamentary conference in New Delhi in December.

The Straits Times, 17 November 1957, Page 13 [extract]
Crisis in a Kelantan UMNO division
Three UMNO officials from the Ulu Kelantan division have resigned. Two other members have been expelled.
.....
The three officials who have resigned are the deputy chairman of the division, Inche Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah, the divisopnal treasurer, Haji Hassan bin Mohamed, and a committee member, Inche Mohamed Ali bin Abdullah, a state councillor representing Ulu Kelantan.
The resignations came after the executive committee passed a unanimous vote of confidence in its chairman, Inche Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, a Federal councillor.
.....

The Straits Times, 14 October 1959, Page 5
3 junior ministers are sworn in
Kuala Lumpur, Tues - Three of the Federations's six junior ministers were sworn in before the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a 10-minute ceremony at the Istana Tetamu here this afternoon.
They were:
  • Syed Ja'afar Albar, assistant Minister to the Prime Minister's Department;
  • Inche Abdul Hamid Khan bin Haji Sakhawat Ali Khan, assistant Minister of Education; and
  • Haji Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, assistant Minister of Rural Development.
In London
Syed Ja'afar was formerly UMNO Malaya Publicity Officer. He served for a year as second secretary (information) at the Malayan High Commissioner's Office in London.
Inche Abdul Hamid Khan is a retired headmaster of the Government English School, Tapah, Perak.
Tuan Haji Khalid was a labour officer before he resigned to contest the elections in 1955.
Three other junior misters - Inche Ismail bin Mohamed Yusoff, Mr Cheah Theam Siew and Mr V Manichavasagam - are now in New York attending the UN General Assembly.

The Straits Times, 10 November 1959, Page 1 [extract]
RAILWAY 'PEACE' MOVE
Kuala Lumpur, Mon - The new retirement benefits for 2,000 monthly-paid railwaymen will be announced by the Acting Minister of Transport, Tuan Haji Abdul Khalid bib Awang Osman.
But the chances of the employees - who decided to go on strike on Dec 1 - accepting this scheme are slim.
........

The Singapore Free Press, 5 May 1960, Page 15
ASSISTANT MINISTER IS NEW UMNO TREASURER
Kuala Lumpur, Thurs - The Prime Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman, has appointed the Assistant Minister of Rural Development, Haji Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, as treasurer of UMNO.
This was announced by UMNO headquarters here.
Haji Khalid will replace the Minister of Labour, Inche Bahaman bin Samsuddin, who lost his seat in the central executive committee in the recent Umno general assembly.
Tengku's powers
Under the UMNO constitution, the Tengku as president of the party, has powers to nominate the secretary-general, treasurer and five other members of the 30-member central executive committee.
It is not normal practice, however, to nominate a defeated candidate to the central executive committee.

The Straits Times, 21 August 1960, Page 11 [extract]
SAVE FOR MECCA PLAN TALKS
Kuala Lumpur, Friday - Ungku Abdul Aziz, a member of the Government-appointed committee to study the pilgrimage to Mecca affairs, today discussed with senior postal officials the possibility of kampong Malay saving money for the trip through the Post Office Savings Bank.
.....
Ubgku Abdul Aziz, who is head of the Economics Department of the University of Malaya here, had recently submitted a blueprint to set up a body to organise all pilgrimage matters.
The committee, of which is headed by the Assistant Minister for Rural Development, Tuan Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman.
Ungku Aziz said the committee had agreed that it was desireable to set up an organisation to promote savings among prospective pilgrims.
........

The Straits Times, 22 October 1960, Page 9
Johore visit
Mersing, Fri - The Assistant Minister of Rural Development, Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman, will visit Mersing, Endau and Rompin tomorrow.

The Straits Times, 9 May 1961, Page 9 [extract]
A big tussle but no new faces on Umno executive body
Malacca, Mon - The big tussle for the 15 places in the 30-member Umno central executive committee did not produce any new faces.
Eleven of the 15 members were re-elected. The other four elected formerly served on the committee as niminated members.
They are the Selangor Mentri Besar, Dato Abu Bakar bin Baginda; Penang State Assemblyman, Haji Ahmad bin Haji Abdullah Fahim; the Assistant Minister of Rural Development, Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman, and former Umno publicity officer, Wan Abdul Kadir bin Ismail.
......

The Straits Times, 26 September 1961, Page 6
Bangkok visit
Kuala Lumpur, Mon - The Assistant Minister of Rural Development, Haji Abdul Khalid bin Osman, left by air today for Bangkok for a three-day private visit.

The Singapore Free Press, 15 December 1961, Page 1
Minister on tour
Jakarta, Fri - The Malayan Assistant Minister for Development, Haji Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, has begun a two-day tour of West Java.

The Straits Times, 21 December 1961, Page 13
Kampong tour
Kuala Lumpur, Wed - The Assistant Minister of Rural Development, Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman, will visit Kampong Nawah, Kota Star Ulu, Kedah, On Dec 31,

The Straits Times, 2 October 1962, Page 1 [extract]
CABINET RESHUFFLE
Kuala Lumpur, Monday
A major Cabinet shake-up - including the end of Inche Abdul Aziz bin Ishak as Minister of Agriculture and Co=operatives - was announnced by the Federation Government tonight. Inche Aziz will go on three months leave from Oct 10 "prior to relinquishing his appointment," a Government statement said.
All other changes, too, take effect from that date.
........
Others affected in the shake-up:
........
  • Haji Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman from Assistant Minister of Rural Development to Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry;
  • ......

The Straits Times, 13 October 1962, Page 5 [extract]
MALAYA'S FOUR FOR TALKS IN LAGOS
Kuala Lumpur, Fri - Three Malayan delegates, led by the Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry, Haji Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, left by air today to attend a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference which begins in Lagos, capital of Nigeria, tomorrow.
The other delegates are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dato Haji Mohamed Noah bin Omar, and Mr Chan Siang Sun (Alliance MP for Bentong).
Mr V Veerappen, Socialist Front MP for Seberang Selatan, who left earlier on a world tour, will join the delegation at Lagos.
......

The Straits Times, 29 December 1962, Page 6 [extract]
That rural paper by professor: Sack for Umno Youth chief
Kuala Lumpur, Friday.
Inche Hamzah bin Alang is to be relieved of his post as national secretary of Umno Youth.
This was decided by the policy-making Umno central executive committee at a meeting at the Residency on Wednesday night.
The deputy chairman of Umno YouthHaji Khalid bin Awang Osman, who is the Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry said the reason was that Inche Hamzah"could not devote full time" to the job.
........

The Straits Times, 9 May 1963, Page 9
Khalid for Jakarta? 'I know nothing'
Kuala Lumpur, Wed. - Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman, the Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry, said today that he knew nothing of his reported appointment as Malayan Ambassador in Jakarta. 
"I have not received an instructions from the Prime Minister," he said.
Haji Khalid was commenting on a report that he had been tipped to take up the appointment in Jakarta.
"Of course I would go to Jakarta if the Tengku asks me,: he said. "But if I was asked to make a choice between the post in Jakarta and one here, I would certainly prefer to stay here."
Haji Khalid, 38, is one of three Assistant Ministers involved in last October's Cabinet reshuffle.
He was previously Assistant Minister of Rural Development.

The Straits Times, 10 May 1963, Page 16 [extract]
Dato Ismail takes over Finance
Kuala Lumpur, Thurs - The Minister of Internal Security, Dato (Dr) Ismail bin Dato Haji Abdul Rahman has taken over the Portfolio of Finance in the absence of Mr Tan Siew Sin.
........
Other cabinet changes announced here today:
The Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry, Haji Khalid bin Awang Osmman, takes over the portfolios of Health and Commerce and Industry during the absense of Inche Abdul Rahman bin Haji Tali (Health Minister) and Dr Lim Swee Aun.
Inche Rahma, who is now atending a World Health Organisation conference in Geneva, will be away until May 24.
Dr Lim will also be away until May 24. He is attending the Commonwealth Trade Ministers' Conference in London and later the Tariffs and Trade Conference in Geneva.
........

The Straits Times, 25 May 1963, Page 1 [extract]
Now Rahman Talib says it: No need for me to rush home
Kuala Lumpur, Fri - The Minister of Health, Inche Bahaman bin Haji Talib, said on his return by air from London today that he did not think it was necessary for him to rush home to handle the cholera epidermic.
........
Also at the airport to meet him was the Acting Minister of Health, Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman, who held the appointment since may 7 when Inche Abdul Rahman left for Geneva.
.........
Earlier, Haji Khalid explained the delay in announcing the epidemic. "People are wiser after the event. Can you imagine what would happen if we said that there was a cholera epidemic which in the end turn out to be false?'
He said the Minister was fully infomed of the cholera epidemic both by cable and letters.
"I still maintain that Inche Abdul Rahman's presence in the country is not necessary."

The Straits Times, 5 June 1963, Page 1
Khalid named envoy to Jakarta
Haji Khalid
Kuala Lumpur, Tues - The Federation Government today announced the appointment of the Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry, Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman, as the new Ambassador to Indonesia.
Haji Khalid will replace Dato Haji Kamaruddin bin Haji Idris as Ambassador and is expetected to leave within a fortnight to take up his new post in Jakarta.
At 38 years, Haji Khalid is the youngest Malaysian Ambassador.
He became Assistant Misnister of Commerce and Industry in October last year. Prior to that he was Assistant Minister of Rural Development.
Father of 4
Haji Khalid has been with Umno since its inception and was returned in the Federal elections in 1955 as an Alliance candidate in Kelantan Selatan.
He is a brother of the former Kedah Mentri Besar, Haji Mohamed Sheriff bin Osman, and is a father of four children.
Haji Khalid is an agriculture student and has worked in the Rubber Research Institute as a rubber inspector and as a labour officer.

The Straits Times, 11 June 1963, Page 6 [extract]
A new plan to boost Malays in business
Kuala Lumpur, Monday.
A plan to further boost Malay participation in commerce and industry was announced by the outgoing Assistant Minister of Commmerce annd Industry, Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman.
The plan includes:
Organising Malay retailers in every district into a wholesale company; and
Helping the wholesale companies to set up an import agency.
Haji Khalid, Malaya's Ambassador-designate to Indonesia, said: "It is hoped thatunder this scheme the import agency will supply consumer goods to its members, the district wholesale companies, which in turn will distribute them to the retailers.
......

The Straits Times, 19 June 1963, Page 9 [extract]
Khalid: Umno hits rumours
Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday - The Umno official weekly - Malaya Merdeka - today denied that Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman is being sent as Malaya's Ambassador to Jakarta because of his efforts to increase Malay participation in business.
The denial follows the rumours that Haji Khalid - he is Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry - is being moved because of pressure from MCA leaders who are unhappy over his pro-Malay efforts.
The weekly said: "The rumours have no foundation whatsoever. They are spread by Malays who are anti-Umno. Apprently, certain sections of Umno have been taken in by these rumours."
It added that the appointment was made "merely to respect international diplomatic procedures."
The present Indonesian Ambassador in Malaya, Lt General G.P.H. Djatikusumo, was a Minister of Telecommunications, Posts, Comminications and Tourism.
Status
The Malayan Ambassador, Dato Haji Kamarudin bin Haji Idris, was a "career diplomat" and though he has only served there for a few months, the Government was forced to appoint someone else, at least of Assistant Minister rank, to reciprocate the honour which Indonesia had accorded to this country, the Malaya Merdeka said.
It called on the Malays, particularly those in Umno, not to believe the rumours, which it described as "mischievous."

The Straits Times, 27 April 1964, Page 8 [extract]
Parliament: The results in full
KEDAH
Kota Star Utara
Haji Abdul Khalid (All) ...................... 11,847
Abu Bakar b Umar (PMIP) .................   6,922
Majority ......................................   4,925

Sungai Petani
Mohamed Zahir b Hj Ismail (All) ..........  14,177
Teh Pek Choon (SF) .......................    3,680
Said Jan Aljefree (PMIP) ..................    1,176
Ong Boon Seong (UDP) ...................    1,154
Majority .....................................  10,497

The Straits Times, 3 May 1964, Page 1 [extract]
MINISTERS: WHO GOES WHERE
This is the new Cabinet line-up:
.......
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: Dr Lim Swee Aun with his old Assistant Minister, Haji Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman.

The Straits Times, 22 August 1964, Page 9 [extract]
500 will attend Umno general assembly
Kuala Lumpur, Friday.
The first Umno general assembly since the formation of Malaysia will be held here from Sept 3 to Sept 6. 
Five-hundred delegates from the 98 divisions of Umno all over Malaya and Singapore will assemble at the Language and Literature Institute to elect officials and to discuss 20 resolutions.
........
For leadership of the youth section, Dato Sardon bin Haji Jubir is opposed by Inche Senu bin Abdul Rahman,Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman and Haji Suleiman bin Haji Amad.

The Straits Times, 11 November 1965, Page 15 [extract]
Assistant Minister gets long leave of absence
Kuala Lumpur, Wed - The Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry, Haji Khalid bin Awang Osman, is to take a two-year leave of absence from Parliament, the Speaker announced in the House of Representatives today.
Haji Khalid has been strongly tipped to be Malaysia's next ambassador in West Germany. An announcement is expected soon.
The present Ambassador in West Germany, Dato Abdul Hamid bin Jumat, has been there for nearly a year and is to be transferred to Addis Ababa.
......

The Straits Times, 22 January 1966, Page 14, (extract)
Khalid presents his credentials
BONN, Fri. - Haji Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, the new i Malaysian Ambassador to West Germany, presented his credentials to President Luebke yesterday. Dr. Luebke in a welcome address toid the Ambassador that West Germany regarded Malaysia as a reliable friend. 

The Straits Times, 15 December 1968, Page 18 [extract]
Bonn shown progress in Malaysia
Bonn, Sat - Malaysia today opened a five-day national exhibition here aimed at showing Bonn the way the country has developed in the 11 years of independence.
The exhibition, which contains exhibits of many aspect of Malaysia's cultural, economic and social life, was formally opened by Dr Dieter Posse, Federal Affairs Minister of North Rhine-Westfalia State.
Host at the gala opening ceremony and reception was the Malaysian Ambassador in Bonn, Tuan Haji Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman. Among some 200 guests were members of the diplomatic corps and senior personalities from the cultural and business life of Bonn.
......
In a welcoming speech to the guests in Bonn's Beethovan Memorial Hall, Tuan Haji Abdul Khalid appealed for understanding and co-operation between nations as a vital step towards formation of a world of peace in which all people could live happily.
.......

Berita Harian, 5 September 1971, Page 16 [extract]
Kerajaan setuju bena asrama pelajar2 wanita di-Mesir
Kuala Lumpur, Sabtu.
Kerajaan telah bersetuju membena sa-buah asrama khas untok pelajar2 wanita Malaysia yang kini menuntut di-beberapa buah universiti dan kolej di-bandar Kahirah.
Asrama itu di-jangka akan di-dirikan dalam bandar itu sa-chepat mungkin, memandangkan ramai-nya pelajar2 wanita Malaysia yang tinggal berselerak di-situ, demikian menurut Duta Besar Malaysia ke-Repablik Arab Bersatu, Haji Khalid Awang Osman.
Beliau menyatakan demikian kapada pelajar2 Malaysia yang menghadhiri perayaan sambutan Hari Kebangsaan di-kediaman-nya akhir bulan lalu.

The Straits Times, 1 February 1978, Page 24 [extract]
I didn't take part in racket: Envoy
Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday
The Malaysia High Commissioner to India, Tan Sre Abdul Khalid bin Awang Osman, has denied allegations by Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry) that he had collaborated with A Malaysian diplomatic officer allegely involved in a smuggling racket in New Delhi.
.....
Tan Sri Khalid has been a contract diplomat for the last 12 years, serving in Bonn, Cairo, and New Delhi and was returning to Malaysia on leave prior to completion of his contract on March 17.

The Straits Times, 14 February 1986, Page 6
Ex-envoy dies
Alor Star, Thurs - Former Malaysian High Commissioner to India and Umno veteran Tan Sri Khalid Awang Osman died of a heart attack early today. He was 61.
The Sultan of Kedah and other state dignatories paid their last respect to him at his residence here. - Bernama.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

PEMBINAAN TERUSAN WAN MOHD. SAMAN DI KEDAH


Pada 08.12.1885, pembinaan Terusan Wan Mohd. Saman di Kedah telah dimulakan.
Pembinaan terusan itu telah diselenggarakan oleh Wan Mohd. saman bin Wan Ismail yang telah dilantik sebagai Menteri Besar Kedah pada tahun 1875. Inisiatif untuk membina terusan ini timbul setelah beliau dilantik menjadi Menteri Besar.

Ketika lawatannya ke negeri Siam itu, terusan-terusan yang merupakan jalan perhubungan dan pengangkutan di Kota Bangkok telah menarik perhatian beliau. Lawatan itu telah memberi ilham kepada Wan Mohd. Saman untuk membina sebatang terusan untuk membangunkan ekonomi negeri Kedah melalui projek-projek pertanian. Cadangan pembinaan terusan itu telah diperkenankan oleh Sultan Abdul Hamid yang memerintah ketika itu dan baginda memerintahkan agar sebatang terusan dibina dari Alor Star hingga ke kaki Gunung Jerai.

Pembinaan terusan tersebut telah dijalankan dalam tiga peringkat:-

Peringkat Pertama: Kerja-kerja menggali dibuat dari hujung Sungai Pengkalan Kundor atau Tandop, iaitu di sebuah Lubok bernama Lubok Ketong hingga ke bandar Kota Sarang Semut.

Peringkat Kedua: Kerja-kerja menggali dari bandar kota sarang Semut hingga ke Kaki Gunung Jerai di Gurun.


Peringkat Ketiga: Kerja-kerja menyambung terusan di Tandop dengan Sungai Kedah di Alor Setar.

Berbagai masalah telah dihadapi semasa kerja-kerja pembinaan terusan dijalankan seperti kekurangan tenaga buruh akibat kematian kerana penyakit demam kepialu. Walaubagaimanapun sepuluh tahun kemudian iaitu dalam tahun 1895 terusan Wan Mohd. Saman sepanjang 35.2 km lebar 7.3 dan 1.5 m dalamnya telah disiapkan.

Dengan pembinaan terusan Wan Mohd. Saman yang dimulakan pada hari ini dalam tahun 1885 maka berbagai perubahan dan kemajuan telah dapat dilaksanakan di negeri Kedah sehingga ianya terkenal sebagai negeri Jelapang Padi.



Skrip: Diolah semula oleh ROSELINE MAPONG SABAI 
Sumber: Skrip HIDS

http://hoobo.blogspot.com/2008/07/terusan-wan-mohd-saman.html




Thursday, January 10, 2013

Wan Muhammad Saman: Bapa Pembangunan Kedah

Utusan Malaysia : 22/6/2008
Oleh : Siti Fatimah Mohamed Anwar
CATATAN sejarah menunjukkan Kedah sejak beratus tahun lalu adalah negeri pertanian dengan padi menjadi tanaman utama penduduk. Ia disebabkan keadaan bentuk muka bumi negeri itu yang rendah dan pamah menjadikannya amat subur untuk tanaman padi.

Di samping pertanian, Kedah juga dikatakan unggul sebagai destinasi perdagangan di rantau ini apabila menjual bijih timah, lada hitam dan gajah untuk kenderaan dan pengangkutan. Bagaimanapun, apabila Pulau Pinang dijajah Inggeris pada 1786, kesibukan Kedah sebagai negeri perdagangan bertukar menjadi sepi.

Pengerusi Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia Cawangan Kedah (PSMCK), Datuk Wan Shamsudin Mohd Yusof, berkata namun selepas kelahiran Wan Muhammad Saman Wan Ismail, pada 1830-an yang kemudian dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri Kedah yang pertama (kini jawatan itu dikenali Menteri Besar), membuka lembaran baru kepada Kedah.

Lahir di Alor Janggus, kira-kira sembilan kilometer dari bandar raya Alor Star pada 1830-an, Wan Muhammad Saman mendapat pendidikan asas dalam pengajian al-Quran ketika kecil. Sesuai dengan zaman itu, beliau juga diajar ilmu berperang dan boleh bertutur bahasa Thai. Kemampuan cemerlang Wan Muhammad Saman itu mendorong Sultan Kedah ketika itu, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin III memilihnya mengiringi baginda ketika melawat Siam pada 1865 untuk meninjau pembangunan di negara Gajah Putih itu.

Melihatkan kepada keupayaan dan kemampuannya yang luar biasa, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin III mewujudkan satu jawatan Perdana Menteri pada 1870 dan melantik Wan Muhammad Saman yang juga ipar baginda untuk menyandangnya. Beliau berkata, dengan jawatan itu, Wan Muhammad Saman melaksanakan pelbagai perubahan dalam pentadbiran Kedah. Pertama, menyelaraskan semuapemerintahan di bawah pentadbirannya. Dalam hubungan itu, beliau menjadikan Alor Star sebagai pusat pentadbiran negeri. Wan Muhammad Saman dikatakan berazam mahu mengembalikan kegemilangan Kedah sebagai pusat kegiatan ekonomi yang tersohor di rantau ini.

Dibantu oleh menteri keempat, kelapan, ke-16 dan pembesar daerah, beliau sering bermesyuarat di Balai Besar, Alor Star bagi mencari idea baru membangunkan ekonomi. Beliau juga dikatakan akan menasihatkan Sultan menyingkirkan pembesar daerah tertentu sekiranya tidak sesuai memikul tanggungjawab baru serta bertindak sebagai penasihat peribadi Sultan dalam semua aspek pembangunan. Wan Muhammad Saman menyerahkan pentadbiran hal-ehwal orang Cina kepadakapitan Cina.

Hasil pertambahan pengalaman selepas melawat Pulau Pinang dan Siam pada 1865, beliau melancarkan pelbagai program pembangunan di Kedah. Usaha pertama ialah memberi peluang kepada orang Cina membuka kebun kopi, kebun pala dan kebun cengkih di Bukit Pinang. Usaha itu sedikit sebanyak dapat merancakkan ekonomi negeri.

Dasar pembangunan yang dibawa Wan Muhammad Saman dikatakan amat serasi dengan zaman pemerintahan Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin III yang menubuhkan sekolah Melayu pertama di Padang Lepai, Kota Setar pada 1861, membina jalan raya, memperkenalkan rawatan perubatan moden dengan mengambil seorang doktor dari Madras selain menggalakkan saudagar asing dari India dan Cina menjalankan perniagaan di Kedah.

Beliau turut membesarkan bandar Alor Star sehingga berkembang ke Anak Bukit dan Langgar. Pelbagai insentif diberikan kepada saudagar asing supaya melabur di Kedah. Turut dibangunkan ialah jalan raya dan titi batu di Sungai Alor Merah. Pembangunan pesat itu memerlukan lebih ramai buruh dibawa masuk dari China dan India.

Dalam bidang pendidikan pula, Wan Muhammad Saman mendirikan banyak sekolah untuk rakyat. Beberapa sekolah Melayu didirikan di Changlun (1892), Kulim (1896) dan Alor Star (1898). Mata pelajaran yang diajar ialah menulis, membaca jawi, kira-kira dan ilmu alam. Guru khas mengajarBahasa Thai juga disediakan.

Ketika melawat Siam, beliau tertarik dengan pelbagai terusan yang menjadi jalan perhubungan serta pengangkutan di Bangkok. Ini menimbulkan ilham kepadanya untuk membina sebatang terusan di Kedah bagi mengemaskan sistem tali air di negeri itu. Wan Shamsudin berkata, iltizam yang tinggi bagi melihat hasil padi ditingkatkan, Wan Muhammad Saman mengerah penduduk kampung menggali terusan sepanjang 35 kilometer dari kaki Gunung Jerai di Kuala Muda hingga ke Tandop, Alor Star. Saliran itu lebih dikenali sebagai Terusan Wan Mat Saman dan dikatakan terusan terpanjang di dunia yang digali menggunakan tulang empat kerat. Kerja pembinaan terusan itu dikatakan membabitkan lebih 5,000 tenaga penduduk tempatan.

Terusan selebar enam meter dan sedalam 2.5 meter itu terbukti mampu menambah hasil padi ketika itu dan hasilnya, pada 1969 tercetuslah idea untuk memperbaiki sistem saliran oleh Lembaga Kemajuan Pertanian Muda (Mada).

Selepas melalui pelbagai kesukaran, terusan itu berjaya disiapkan pada 1896, sebelum Wan Muhammad Saman meninggal dunia dua tahun selepas itu. Kegigihan Wan Muhammad Saman memajukan Kedah melalui pelbagai idea baru ketika itu, tidak hairanlah beliau digelar Bapa Pembangunan Kedah oleh ramai sejarawan.

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Info
Wan Muhammad Saman
* Lahir pada 1830-an di Alor Janggus, dekat Alor Star.
* Mendapat pendidikan agama dan al-Quran, tetapi bijak dalam merancang strategi pembangunan negeri sehingga mendapat kepercayaan Sultan Kedah ketika itu, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin III.
* Giatkan aktiviti ekonomi di bandar Alor Star dengan membina lebih banyak kedai dan menggalakkan kedatangan pedagang Cina.
* Memberi sumbangan dalam membangunkan bandar Alor Star dan aspek pendidikan.
* Membina Terusan Wan Mat Saman sepanjang 35km dari kaki Gunung Jerai di Kuala Muda hingga ke Tandop, Alor Star.