Digital Scraobook Leader Figure in Johor - by Tan Yee Tsuen Christine

Digital Scrapbook
Leader Figure in

Johor

Abu Bakar of Johor

Participant

Name : Tan Yee Tsuen Christine
Class : 4 Dedikasi
E-mail Address : [email protected]
School : SMJK Pei Hwa
School Address : SMJK Pei Hwa, Pekan Sungai Mati,
84400 Sungai Mati, Tangkak, Johor.

Preface

There are a lot of great leader figures in Johor that sacrifice themselves and strive hard for
this state. But unfortunately, teenagers these days have gotten less familiar and ignorant about
these heroes that lead our state, either in the past or present.

This scrapbook is about leader figures in Johor and I have chosen Abu Bakar of Johor as the
prominent leader figure of my scrapbook. This scrapbook is made for the competition
Pertandingan Mencipta Buku Skrap Digital Tokoh Pemimpin Johor, organised by Unit Hal
Ehwal Murid, Sektor Pembangunan Murid Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah and Majlis Guru
Kaunseling Negeri Johor. I made this scrapbook by myself, with references from the internet
and books related to this topic.

I have created this scrapbook individually.

While creating this scrapbook I’ve learned a lot of new knowledge about leader figures in
Johor.

I would like to thank my teachers and family for helping me throughout the process of
creating this scrapbook. I also want to thank the school SLB for giving me this golden
opportunity to participate in this competition.

Biodata of Leader Figure

( picture of Sultan Sir Abu Bakar )
Sultan Sir Abu Bakar ibni Almarhum Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Daeng Ibrahim
GCMG KCSI (Jawi: ‫سري إب راه ين داي ڠ ت و ڠ ڬوڠ ال ورحوم اب ي ب كر اب و س ير س لطاى ال ورحوم‬
‫ ; وهر ههاراج‬3 February 1833 – 4 June 1895) was the Temenggong of Johor. He was the 1st
Sultan of Modern Johor, the 21st Sultan of Johor and the first Maharaja of Johor from the
House of Temenggong. As many historians accredited Johor's development in the 19th
century to Abu Bakar's leadership, he was also informally known as "The Father of Modern
Johor
He was born on 3 February 1833, Istana Lama, Teluk Belanga, Singapore, Straits
Settlements and passed away on 4 June 1895. His parents’ names were Temenggong Daeng
Ibrahim ( father ) and Cik' Ngah ( mother ).
Abu Bakar married his first wife, Engku Chik during his stay in Pahang in 1857. Abu Bakar
was related to Engku Chik by family ties; Engku Chik was siblings with Tun Koris, who was
also a brother-in-law to Abu Bakar. Abu Bakar had a daughter named Tunku Besar Putri. He
also had a son, Tunku Ibrahim, and a daughter, Tunku Mariam with his second wife Cecilia
Catherina Lange, who was the daughter of a Danish trader, Mads Johansen Lange and his
Chinese wife Nonna Sangnio. Lange met Abu Bakar while she was in Singapore. She
adopted the Muslim name of "Zubaidah" after getting married to Abu Bakar in 1870.
His reign as sultan of Johor was from 13 February 1886 to 4 June 1895 and his coronation
date was 29 July 1886. His reign as Maharaja of Johor was from 30 June 1868 to 12 February
1886 and reign as Temenggong of Johor was from 2 February 1862 – 29 June 1868.

Educational level of leader figure

Abu Bakar spent his childhood years in his father's “kampong” in Teluk Blanga. At a young
age he was given lessons by local teachers on Islam and Adat (traditional Malay law). After
that he was sent to the Teluk Blanga Malay school, a mission school run by Reverend
Benjamin Peach Keasberry. Under the guidance of the missionary teachers, Abu Bakar
developed the manners of an English gentleman, and the ability to speak fluent English in
addition to his native Malay.

In 1851, the Temenggong delegated Abu Bakar, then an eighteen-year-old youth, to assist
him in negotiation efforts against Sultan Ali, who was frivolously attempting to claim
sovereignty rights over Johor. As the Temenggong aged, he gradually delegated his state
administrative duties to Abu Bakar. Several British officers praised Abu Bakar's excellent
diplomatic skills, as mentioned in William Napier's (the senior law agent of Singapore)
diaries. He had accompanied Abu Bakar to fetch Tengku Teh, the mother of the deposed
Sultan of Lingga, Mahmud Muzaffar Shah, to Johor shortly after her son began exerting
sovereignty claims over Pahang.

( picture of Reverend Benjamin Peach Keasberry )

Career of Leader Figure

Abu Bakar was the Temenggong of Johor. He became the Temenggong of Johor within
three days of his father's demise and moved his residence to Tyersall. At the time of his
succession, Johor was facing a political threat from the deposed Sultan, Mahmud Muzaffar
Shah.

During a state visit to England in 1866, Abu Bakar was commonly addressed as the
"Maharaja" of Johor. He realised that the Malay title of Temenggong was hardly known to
the Western World. He contemplated a change of another title, which led him to send his
cousin, Ungku Haji Muhammad and the Dato Bentara, Dato Jaafar to meet the Bugis
historian, Raja Ali Haji who was residing in Riau. After they did a cross examination and
concluded that the past office holders had wielded actual control over the affairs of Johor,
rather than the Sultans of the Bendahara dynasty, Raja Ali supported Abu Bakar's cause. In
addition, questions pertaining to his pursuits to clamour for recognition were also sidelined as
he was able to trace his ancestry to the first Sultan of the Bendahara dynasty. The Sultan of
Lingga, gave his approval of Abu Bakar as the Maharaja of Johor, after Ungku Haji and Dato
Jaafar travelled to Lingga and presented their claims. Abu Bakar also secured approval from
the Governor of the Straits Settlements for his change in title. He was officially proclaimed as
the Maharaja of Johor on 30 June 1868.

The Bendahara of Pahang, Wan Ahmad, was proclaimed Sultan in 1881. Abu Bakar, who
was weary of the increasingly hostile political environment imposed by Weld, considered the
importance of the superior moral authority that was accorded to a "Sultan" than to a
"Maharaja". In 1885, Abu Bakar instituted the creation of a state postal and judiciary system
modelled along British lines, as well as a military force, the Johor Military Forces (JMF,
Malay: Askar Timbalan Setia) upon his return to Johor. During his stay in London in late
1885, Abu Bakar expressed his desire to Meade for a formal recognition as the Sultan of
Johor. He also met up with Queen Victoria, who had become a personal friend of Abu Bakar,
within the same course of his visit. Queen Victoria consented to his wishes, and a treaty was
signed on 11 December 1885 which formalised relations between Great Britain and Johor,
was concluded between Abu Bakar and the Colonial Office.

Contribution of Leader Figure

Abu Bakar was accredited as the "Founder of Modern Johor" (Malay: Bapa Pemodenan
Johor). He established a Western-styled bureaucratic system and civil service in Johor. He
also consolidated the state's agricultural economy, which consisted of gambier and pepper
plantations headed by Chinese leaders, known as "Kangchu" in the Teochew dialect of the
southern min Chinese language. The gambier and pepper plantations were first introduced
during the 1840s by Chinese immigrants. Often, Abu Bakar provided advice for Malay rulers
from neighbouring states in the event when the rulers had to make important decisions. In
particular, he became a close confidante of the Sultan of Pahang, Wan Ahmad in 1887, with
whom Abu Bakar had persuaded Sultan Ahmad to accept a British consultant instead of a
Resident.

He also acknowledged the influence of the British in the Malay states was inevitable after
the signing of the Pangkor Treaty of 1874. Realizing that Britain's real power did not lie with
the Governor of the Straits Settlements but the Colonial Office in London, he made a series
of visits to Europe including Britain and established friendly relations with Queen Victoria.
The proof of this was when Sultan Abu Bakar was invited to the Buckingham Palace and
became the Queen's guest at Windsor Palace.

Abu Bakar was the Founding Grand Master (1886) of the Royal Family Order of Johor. He
was also honoured in other countries. For example, he was Grand Cross of the Order of Franz
Joseph in Austria-Hungary and Grand Cross of the Order of Kalakaua I in Hawaii.

Leadership values that can be
emulated by the current generation

There are a few values that can be learned from Sultan Abu Bakar.

To be a competent leader, we must be steadfast and intelligent. For example, Abu Bakar
thoroughly understood the circumstances and situation of the British’s government. He was
also very active and worked hard to achieve his goals, like making visits to other countries
and developing friendly relations with other leaders.

Besides, we must not easily throw in the towel even if the situation seems hopeless. We
must not give up on ourselves and we have to recognise our own potentials. Abu Bakar grew
up in a village and was educated by local teachers but when he grew up, he become a leader
and even became friends with Queen Victoria.

We should also be open minded and willing to accept different cultures or views and to see
the big picture of important things. We must not be too stubborn and we have to keep
improving to become better. Sometimes, listening to others’ suggestions and consulting other
people can help us to improve not just our self-esteem, but also to allow us the space and
opportunity to progress and develop into a better being.

Closure

Sultan Abu Bakar was certainly a remarkable leader figure and he was indeed an interesting
leader figure to do a research on. He had contributed a lot to the development of this state.

I want to thank Puan Tee Hwi Tyng for giving me this chance to enter this competition.
While creating this digital scrapbook, I’ve learned a lot about the histories of Johor, leader
figures in Johor and broadened my knowledge. I’ve also learned to appreciate the hard work
of our leaders to develop and make this state a better place.
Thanks again to my family and teachers. Without you I will not be able to create this
scrapbook so successfully.
As a conclusion, we should do more research about leader figures in our country and find
out more about their merits and achievements. If not for them, we will not be able to live
happily in such a peaceful and modern country.

( picture of Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque)

( funeral of Sultan Abu Bakar)

Reference Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Bakar_of_Johor
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kementerian Pelajaran, Dewan Sastera
https://kemahkotaan.johor.gov.my/pengenalan/sejarah-kesultanan-johor/
Hooker, A Short History of Malaysia
Withington, The Golden Cloak
Winstedt, A History of Johore (1365–1941)
Lim, Wong Ah Fook: Immigrant, Builder and Entrepreneur