There is a power struggle in the…

There is a power struggle in the Perak royal court after Sultan Ali dies in 1871.

The next in line for the throne is the Raja Muda or crown prince, Raja Abdullah.

Despite this fact, he is not present during the burial of the sultan.

As in the case of Tengku Hussein of Johor, Raja Abdullah is not appointed as the new sultan by the ministers of Perak.

Instead, the second in line, Raja Bendaraha Raja Ismail, becomes the sultan of Perak.

Raja Abdullah is furious and refuses to accept the news without protest.

He seeks and gathers political supports from various channels, including several of Perak's local chiefs and several British personnel with whom he had done business in the past, with the secret societies becoming their proxies in the fight for the throne.

Among these British individuals is British trader Read.

Furthermore, he promises to accept a British advisor if the British recognize him as the legitimate ruler of Perak.

Unfortunately for Raja Abdullah, the Straits Settlements governor at this time is Sir Harry Ord, a friend of Ngah Ibrahim, who has unresolved issues with Raja Abdullah.

With Ord's aid, Ngah Ibrahim sends sepoy troops from India to prevent Raja Abdullah from actively claiming the throne and extending control over the Chinese secret societies.