Mat Kilau

Muhammad Kilau bin Rasu^[1][2] (Jawi: محمد كيلاو بن راسو; 1866/67 – ?) popularly known as 'Mat Kilau', or alternatively known as Mohamed bin Ibrahim or 'Mat Siam',^[3] was a local chieftain and folk hero from Pahang, Malaysia, best known for his role in the Pahang Uprising (1891–1895) against the British Empire. The outbreak of the resistance movement in Pahang in the late 19th century was mainly fueled by the grievances among the traditional ruling class towards the British Residential system.^[4]

The exceptional valor demonstrated by Mat Kilau in the uprising have gained him a place in popular memory as one of the heroes of Malay nationalism.^[5] The uprising however, was gradually suppressed by the British colonial government, with important leaders, including Mat Kilau, were forced to flee to the neighboring Terengganu and Kelantan. The British authority later on reported several conflicting accounts of his death between 1895 and 1896.^[6]

In December 1969, an old man who goes by the name 'Mat Siam', made a shocking announcement before the congregation at the mosque in Pulau Tawar, claiming to be the Mat Kilau. A committee was formed to investigate the authenticity of his identity. From the investigations conducted as well as through statements obtained from key witnesses and birth marks on his body, it was soon confirmed that he was Mat Kilau, the long lost warrior. He died shortly afterwards.