Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong

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Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abdul Hamid (1868–1929), also known as Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong, was a Malay religious teacher, farmer and trader from Terengganu, British Malaya. He was born in Telemong, Terengganu, and earned the respect of Malay people for his knowledge and leadership. He got the nickname Limbong after teaching Islam and starting to trade in Limbong, Kemaman, Terengganu.

From 1922 to 1928, he led resistance against new British laws and taxes that made farming harder, especially for the poor. He taught that land belongs to God and to those who work it, and he fought to protect farmers’ livelihoods.

In 1922 he was among 43 farmers tried for farming without permission, but the early hearings produced no clear result. In 1925, hundreds of farmers cleared land belonging to Tengku Haji Nik without government permission.

In 1928, Limbong organized about 1,000 people in Kampung Buluh to oppose British rule. They attacked the police station in Kuala Berang, captured it and raised a red flag, then went to Kuala Terengganu to seek the Sultan’s support. A separate group formed at Kampung Pelam, Telemong. The British sent police from the capital to help; clashes near Padang Kachong and Kuala Telemong led to heavy fighting and many deaths, and the rebels withdrew. The leaders were captured and tried; most were sentenced to life in prison.

Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong was found guilty as part of the rebellion but did not receive the same life sentence as others. He was exiled from Terengganu to Mecca, where he continued to teach Islam until his death in 1929 (aged about 60 or 61).