Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

SA VA GE MA LA YS OF JOHOR 5 1
of the Endau had engrossed the trade of the Johor
portion of the Sembrong river.' The Benua of Benut
were under a Jukrah (" Juru-krah ") and a Batin.
Each Batin had absolute authority within his own
jurisdiction, l)ut he referred difficult or unusual
cases to a Council composed of all the Batins,
excepting the Batin Anak Setia ; and matters in
which all the Benua were concerned appertained
to the same Council. Their deliberations were said
to be sometimes very prolonged, particularly in
affairs of a novel character, when their knowledge
of the old " 'adat " did not supply them with any
precedents.
Laws.
Benua-Jakun.—Offences against property or person
were, from the mildness of the race, of very rare occur-
rence. Crimes of all kinds might be expiated by the
payment of fines, the sentences being invariably im-
posed, not in the form of coins, of which very few
reached their hands, but in coarse Chinese plates or
saucers (" pinggan "). Adultery was punishable by a
fine of from 10 to 20 plates according to circumstances ;
theft the same ; murder, which, however, seems to be
almost unknown, by one of 60 plates. One-half of the
fine went to the Batin and the other half to the injured
person. If the offender failed to deliver the plates, he
became the slave of his victim. Complaints were
inquired into by the Batin, who assembled a number of
the elders and consulted with them. The Batin was
considered to be responsible for any property that was
stolen. But he could not convict the thief without
confession or direct evidence of the theft. No regular
* So Logan, but no part of the and only jKirt of the left bank of the
Sembrong river is now in Pahang, Endau.
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