Lela Pandak Lam

Lela Pandak Lam (died 20 January 1877), better known as Dato Maharaja Lela, was a tribal chief from Perak, who is known for his assassination of James W. W. Birch, the British Resident of Perak, on 2 November 1875. He was a local leader who later led the struggle against British forces in Perak. Together with other leaders such as Dato' Sagor, he planned an alliance to assassinate James W. W. Birch and resist the British in Perak. His decision was approved in a meeting at Durian Sebatang, chaired by Sultan Abdullah on 21 July 1875. However, He is generally celebrated as a folk hero by Malay nationalists and seen as a symbol of Malay resistance against British colonialism and the first stirrings of early nationalism.

Legacy Memorials and eponyms Several places and things were named after Dato Maharaja Lela: Jalan Maharajalela, Kuala Lumpur Maharajalela station KD Maharaja Lela