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Opening

In spite of everything, development of new settlements still continued at that time. In 1889, Orang Kaya (Rich Man) Sidek bin Ismail opened a new settlement at Kampung Minyak Beku (Frozen Oil Village) nearby the Jakun village and this area was named Benut Selamat. But not long after that, the name was changed to Bagan. A lot of people were attracted to that place including people from Pulau Jawa (Java Island), Madura and other islands. The Javanese people lead by Haji Ibrahim opened coconut and coffee farms. Among the well known people in that village were Pawang Abu, Haji Arshad (Orang Melaka) and Mohamed Tab (Orang Muar).So, finally in 1893, Dato' Bentara Luar which is Dato' Muhamad salleh bin Perang succeeded to start his efforts to develop Batu Pahat in the Simpang Kanan area, situated approximately seven miles from Sungai Batu Pahat.

The development of Bandar Maharani (Maharani Town) that was opened in 1884, challenged the Batu Pahat's village head effort to open a town. Furthermore, due to the massive development of areas around it like Serum, Bertam, Tebing Tinggi, Kampung Sejagong, Langkap, Chaah and others, one meeting was held at Kuala Simpang, attended by rich men, village heads, village minister, Jenangs (a given to orang asli leaders) that was chaired by Encik Abdul Hamid bin Ahmad, leader of the Batu Pahat's peacekeeper. In the meeting, they decided to appoint Penghulu Rahmat bin Ragam (Simpang Kanan's village head) and Penghulu Kitam bin Mohd Shah (Simpang Kiri village head) to have an audience with Sultan Abu Bakar to request Dato' Muhamad Salleh bin Perang to open another town for Batu Pahat. They were confidence Dato' Bentara Luar will succeed to open another town this time at Batu Pahat.On the 4th of November 1893, Dato' Muhamad Salleh whom at that time kept quiet at Senagar village was called to Johor Bahru. On 11th November 1893, Sultan Abu Bakar gave his royal command to him:

"I was troubled by two men, Penghulu Rahmat and Kitam. They met me more than once to ask you to develop Batu Pahat. So I answered to Rahmat and Kitam, don't simply swear and then refuse to follow his instructions later. They answered to me, they will not refuse. I think, I will give you permission to open Batu Pahat or any other areas that you think are suitable to be a town..."