According to the history of Malaysia, the name of Jerantut is
used before the reign of Sultan Ahmad (Wan Ahmad) who was the first Sultan in
Pahang. He became the King of Pahang after the civil war between Wan Ahmad and
Tun Mutahir in Pekan.
Wan Ahmad had planned the strategy to attack Pekan so that it would not be
dominated by Tun Mutahir. During the civil war, the head of different tribes who
were the loyal supporters of Wan Ahmad had given him a helping hand and support.
These loyal supporters came from different area in Ulu Pahang, that were from
Temerloh and Semantan which was led by Dato Bahaman who was came from Lipis;
from Jelai and Semantan Ulu Raub which was led by Dato Raja Jelai Wan Mahmud and
from Jerantut which was led by Dato Gajah Iman Rasu Abdul Salam.
The badge which becomes the symbol of the majesty of Pahang is the elephant
tusks that crossing each other and with the coffee leaf transformed into the
blade of lance in between the tusks. There is the words " YA-ALIF LAM THO YAA FA
" (YA-LATIFF) at the left and right side of the elephant tusks. "YA-LATIFF" is a
recitation of the devotion to Islam, which is one of the 99 name of ALLAH. The
flag of Pahang is in white and black colour. The residents in Pahang are
very flattered by the badge and flag of Pahang.
According to the legend, the name of Jerantut is getting from the pronunciation
of Orang Asli (aboriginals) during the reign of Sultan Ahmad. A few malay who
were living at Kampung Sungai Salan in Pulau Tawar had lost their buffalos. They
tried to find their buffalos all around. Finally, they asked an aboriginal
who was living at Kampung Paya Tambak which is near the Pahang river. The
aboriginal pointed to the rapids of the river and said " Jeramtut " which means
that at that rapids. (In Malay, rapids is called jeram ) The buffalos were found
beside a tree which was near the rapids. Finally, the place is given by the name
" Jerantut " to commemorate this event.
During the King administration, sultan (the head of a state) will appoint
ministers (orang-orang besar) to manage the life and safety of the residents. On
the other hand, sultan will also appoint Tok Penghulu for each area. Tok
Penghulu (the headman of an area) was assisted by Tok Empat or Ketua Kampung.
Nowadays, this type of administration had changed.
Some of the warriors had started the open rebellion towards British colonizers.
The open rebellion was led by Dato Bahaman in Semantan and Temerloh, and Mat
Kilau (the son of Dato Gajah Iman Rasu Abdul Salam) in Jerantut. They were
assisted by Orang Kaya Haji Wan Daud in Kuala Lipis and also their own
supporters during 1884-1887. Finally, they had lost in their battling against
the British colonizers. As a result, they made their escape to Terengganu and
Kelantan. Although these warriors are considered as traitors by British
colonizers, but their contribution and sacrifices are always recorded in the
history of Pahang.
In the year 1888, Pahang became the British colony. Pahang was also a member of
Negeri-negeri Bersekutu during that time. The other members of Negeri-negeri
Bersekutu included Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor. Each state had a British
officer which was known as British Residen. In Pahang, Kuala Lipis became the
central government and the British Residen was living in Kuala Lipis.
British had introduced a district administration in which every district in
Pahang will has an officer (Pegawai Daerah) from its nation. Jerantut was
included in Lipis district. The post and authority of Tok Penghulu in each area
was continued. On the other hand, the appointment of judges in Muslim matters or
affairs was continued and it was under the authority of a King.
Jerantut becomes a small district (the sub-distirct of Lipis) starting from
1948. An officer (Penolong Pegawai Daerah) was appointed to administer all the
areas and villages in Jerantut. Encik Maaroff was the first appointed officer.
He was assisted by a few assistants and his office is now becoming the Jerantut
Rest House.
Jerantut Old Town has only double-storey buildings in which they are possessed
by Chinese. These buildings are near the railway station. These railways were
constructed in the early 1922. At the same time, the road from Kuala Lumpur
through Bentong and Raub to Jerantut and Kuantan is the main road which
connecting Terengganu and Kelantan states.
The main products of Jerantut are crops, foods, rubber, timber, spice, herb,
padi, fruits, forest and livestocks.
On 31st August 1957, the National Day of Malaysia, Jerantut becomes a full
district. Dato Abu Bakar bin Hussin who is the son of Chenor became the officer
of Jerantut. There is 10 areas in Jerantut, that are Pedah, Ulu Tembeling, Ulu
Cheka, Kuala Tembeling, Tembeling Tengah, Teh, Kelola, Tebing Tinggi, Burau and
Pulau Tawar. In the early 1960, the local council was established. All the
planning of Jerantut are under the local council (Majlis Daerah Jerantut).
