Mujong Expedition
A party of murderers and some followers were located at the tributary stream, the Tijau. Three Malays had been killed, and a native force had failed to dislodge the rebels. His Royal Highness the Rajah resolved to take stronger measures. The Rajah decided to attack before the dry season set in.
A force of Kaluka, Saribas and Batang Lupar Malays was ordered to assemble on 5 February. By the 7th, the army had been outfitted for an upriver expedition. In the afternoon, a Council of War was held by the Rajah on the bank of a river.
The force left on the 9th of February, passing the Balleh river, and at the stockade at Mujong was reached by noon. They halted for the night after paddling some 25 miles against the current. The next morning, the 10th, it advanced in proper order, with caution, and after a hard day’s work, encamped at a place called Batu Bertali where large boulders on each side of the river were a suitable defence.
On the 11th, they poled up the rapids and shallows which was heavy work, where none but the Borneo boats and crews could have entered. They entered the Tiau river at 9 o’clock. Here the streams became much more narrow, with numerous gravelly beds and shallows. The water rushed down with a strength which impeded progress. They arrived at a stream called the Wak. It was here that some of the Dyaks from each boat should land and form skirmishing wings on each side of the landing boat. The Bala again advanced, but the enemy had felled large trees across the river. These had to be cut through with axes and a passage cleared.
The skirmishers, advancing ahead of the large boat, heard the enemy cutting down more trees with axes. Coming upon them, they fired a few shots and the enemy retreated, leaving four of their boats, a number of axes and their food, mainly vegetables, behind them.
The next day, the force advanced, passing Wang Raru and Puloh Babi, where they hoped the rebels would make a stand. However, very few were seen by the advanced scouts as they disappeared through the jungle. More blockades of trees were encountered.
The enemy made themselves heard during the night and few shots were fired. One or two alarms startled the Bala, though a most vigilant watch was kept up by the Dyaks. A large stockade of felled trees was constructed which surrounded the banks where the boats were moored.
On the morning of the 13th, the force started. The village and the paddy farms of the rebels were reached at 8:30 a.m. on the 13th, the houses having been set fire before they left. The men did not seem much fatigued even after the very hard work of the last four and one-half days, and there were few complaints of sickness.
The Dyaks soon spread over the clearings to plunder the stock, cut the ripe paddy (rice) and collected vegetables which were found in abundance. The Dyaks continued penetrating the forest, where three Malays were cut down and the enemy lost the same number in hand-to-hand encounters. Several were wounded on both sides.
A Council of War was held, and it was decided to attack two other houses (it will be recalled these were longhouses with over 20 apartments) a day’s march inland. It was decided that 50 Malays and 1,000 Dyaks would be ready. This party stared inland at daylight, marching “in good order” carrying two days of provisions with them.
Suddenly, they came to the foot of a steep ridge and had to ascend a single file. When they reached the crest of the ridge, the enemy rushed out from behind large boulders throwing their spears and wounding many, which checked the advance. The Malays and the bulk of the force moved forward. The enemy speedily retreated, leaving one man dead on the ground and carrying off three others. Our force had one man dead and several wounded. Unfortunately, the two Dyak Chiefs and their sons were among a large number of wounded. This halted the advance.
At another Council of War, it was decided that the force should remain over, destroying everything of any value to the rebels, and return the following day. The two longhouses were left unscathed, however, all the available paddy and eatables of every description that the enemy had stored for food were carried off.
During the 17th and 18th, the force returned to Kapit with broken and swamped boats
The Sarawak Gazette, 1 March 1881
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