The Mat Salleh Rebellion was a series of major armed disturbances against the British North Borneo Chartered Company administration in North Borneo, now the Malaysian state of Sabah. It was instigated by Datu Muhammad Salleh (also known as ), a local chief from the Lingkabo district and Sugut River. He led the rebellion between 1894 until his death in Tambunan in 1900. The rebellion then continued on for another five years until 1905. His father was Datu Balu, a traditional leader in Inanam and a Suluk or Tausug. He had three siblings: Ali, Badin and Bolong. and enjoyed relative autonomy. There, Datu Bulu assumed a local leadership position along part of the Sugut River on the eastern coast of North Borneo.

Later in his life, Mat Salleh married a Sulu princess named Dayang Bandang. and intelligent man, with a commanding personality and presence. He was well-respected and his great tactical skills were renowned among the local communities.

North Borneo Chartered Company

Changes imposed

thumb|right|[[William Cowie (merchant)|W. C. Cowie, managing director with the Sultan of Sulu]]

Before the arrival of the British North Borneo Chartered Company, central authority in North Borneo was weak. Part of it was governed by Brunei and part by Sulu. This gave local chiefs and traditional elites relative autonomy to practice influence and power to regulate trade in the area and serve the responsibility of protecting the local inhabitants from excessive exploitation by foreign traders. It aimed to transform North Borneo into a producer of various agricultural products, predominantly tobacco. Apart from the introduction of cash-crop farming, the company also imposed new taxation laws and set up administrative centres. Some of the changes brought about by them were:

  • Introduction of new taxes, including a levy on rice, the staple food of the population. set up in September 1882 as a collection station for jungle and local produce. This station also served as a "stopping place" for European officials plying between Kudat and Labuan. Mat Salleh denied his and his followers' involvement in it and resisted arrest. was offered for his capture. A chance shot from a Maxim Gun had hit Mat Salleh in the left temple, killing him instantly. Also killed in the battle were about 1,000 of Mat Salleh's followers who fought from the neighbouring villages of Lotud Tondulu, Piasau, Kitutud, Kepayan and Sunsuron.