Sultan Abdul Samad and the duit belanja

Frank Swettenham had penned down rejecting money from Sultan Abdul Samad possibly to showcase his integrity. He could not receive the $100 given to him by Sultan Abdul Samad through his Malay clerk and the clerk could not comprehend why.

“About 3 p.m. The Sultan (Abdul Samad) sent his Krani with some rice, salt fish, and oil and $100 in money. I told the Krani to thank the Sultan, that I was much obliged for the rice etc. and would give it to the men, but that I could not receive the $100. I tried to explain why but he did not seem to quite to understand and took the money reluctantly. I (Frank Swettenham) saw the Sultan (Abdul Samad) shortly afterwards and told him how much obliged I was and also explained about the money to him. He said he did not understand our (British) customs. He meant it as a present, but he also wished to pay all our expenses, mine and the Police, as long as we would stay with him, so that we should be no charge on the Straits Govt., for he said, as long as the Governor allowed us to stay, we should be working entirely in his interest and should be such a benefit to him that it was but right that he should bear all the expense. I told him I would tell the Governor of his wish and that whether H.E. accepted his offer or not I was sure he would be glad to hear he had made it.” Frank Swettenham. Journal Entry 24 August 1874. Journal Langat River, 13 August to 2 September 1874. Pp.
51–52.