Early life He was born in 1837 as a second child out of three from a wealthy family of
Raja Timah, Long Jaafar and his mother is Ngah pura, daughter of
Syed Alang Alauddin. He was raised in
Larut. His other siblings is Kulup Seman and Ch Alang Sepiah. He was adopted son of
Sultan Jaafar Muazzam Shah,
Sultan of Perak at that time. There, he gained easy access to the palace. He later on went to
Johor to learn modern administrative skill from
Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim.
As Raja Larut After his father's death, he was in his teenage years. Larut was governed by his uncle, Ngah Lamat for two years. On 30 November 1857, he was granted powers to rule over Lumut far greater than his father. He then built his mansion or fortress called
Kota Ngah Ibrahim nearby Sungai Larut in
Matang. The complex was built near Sungai Larut, to enable easy access to his four ships, including two
fire ships. By the end of March 1864, he was granted
Orang Kaya Menteri Sri Paduka Tuan, highest title in Perak at that time. His power is vested for land for the north of
Kinta river to south of
Bruas river. His rise was noted from his wealth and his marriage to
Perak aristocrat. During his administration, he instructed the pavement of roads throughout the area and govern thru modern administration practice, such as establishing magistrate, judge, treasurer and clerk system. He also move the administrative capital of Larut from
Bukit Gantang to
Matang and Lumut port from Sungai Limau to
Kuala Sepetang. To enshrine Islamic practice in
Klian Pauh, he rebuild a madarash from wooden architecture to a brick masjid. During his tenure, he encountered difficulties in managing rise of
local Chinese triad conflict, especially between
Ghee Hin and
Hai San. This led to
first Larut war in 1861. The Governor of the
Straits Settlements,
Orfeur Cavenagh intervened and on behalf of
Sultan of Perak, he paid compensation the Ghee Hin with amount of $17,447. To enhance security of Larut, he assembled police force, headed by
Tristram Speedy. The police force was powered with 110
sepoy from
India. Between 1871 and 1872, third Larut War erupted over a scandal – an extra-marital relationship involving the Ghee Hin leader and the wife of a nephew of the Hai San leader,
Chung Keng Quee. He was noted to supporting Hai San during this period to regain back their Larut and Matang mines. By the time of
Sultan Ismail Mu'abbiddin Riayat Shah rule, Ngah Ibrahim had quarrelled with
Raja Muda Abdullah II, the son of the former sultan who had been passed over by the Royal Council in favour of Ismail. Abdullah sought to engineer a situation where the British would recognise him as Sultan and sought the services and recognition of Ngah Ibrahim. In return he appointed Ngah Ibrahim as Orang Kaya
Mantri of
Larut in 1858. The two of them had a falling-out and embroiled miners in the Larut area in their dispute. A fourth Larut War on 1873 between Hai San supported by him and Ghee Hin supported by Raja Muda Abdullah II eventually resulted in intervention by the British, the treaties at
Pangkor for the cessation of hostilities between the miners, the recognition of Abdullah as Sultan of Perak and the appointment of a British Resident whose advice must be asked and acted upon on all questions except those touching Malay religion and custom. As a result of the agreement, Ngah Ibrahim lost his rights to collect taxes.
James W. W. Birch, first
Resident of Perak also disregard Malay rulers and chief opinions in managing the states, prompting he, other Malay chief and
Sultan Abdullah II conspires for his murder.
Lela Pandak Lam murdered Birch on 2 November 1875. This led to
Perak War from 1875 till 1877. After the conclusion of Perak War, he and Sultan Abdullah II were exciled to
Seychelles for being involved in the murder of
James W. W. Birch.
Later life He never returned to Perak after his exile to
Seychelles. He were deported to
Sarawak and then to
Singapore. He died and were buried in
Aljunied cemetray,
Singapore. His body were brought back to
Larut on 9 September 2006 by
Malaysian government. His remains were brought back by
Royal Malaysian Navy ship,
KD Laksamana and were granted ceremonial burial. ==Legacy==