A Malay Robin Hood in Kedah - The Tale of Panglima Nayan

The tale of Robin Hood and his merry men in Sherwood Forest and their exploits against the Lords of Nottingham are well known.

I am glad to find out that in Malaya, we also have our own version of 'rob the rich and give to the poor' type of romantic tale.

I read with great interest the article Social Banditry and Crime in North Kedah 1909 - 1929 by Prof Cheah Boon Kheng in the Journal of the Malayan Branch Royal Asiatic Society Vol 54 Part 2 1951 issue Page 97 - 130.

It seems there is a man in the local folklore named Panglima Nayan who would lead his band of marauders and rob the rich merchants and distribute their loot to the poor.

This folklore was so famous until it was made into a Bangsawan (folk theatre) and a book by Mansor bin Abdullah (Manbina) was published in 1959. That book remains the only written book on Panglima Nayan to this day.

 Reward notice for Nayan's capture $1000




Kedah Police Top Brass in Sungei Petani (Central Kedah)








Map showing the influence of Panglima Nayan and his gang in Kedah.

Nayan's sister, Puteh