sultan abu bakar the first ruler

JOHOR

SULTAN ABU BAKAR:The First Ruler of
Modern Johor

NUR ALIA MAISARAH BINTI RAHIM

FORM 5 IBNU SINA

[email protected]

SMK Parit Betak
Smk Parit Betak, Jalan Tampok Darat - Parit

Betak, 82210 Pontian, Johor

INTRODUCTION

IF Malaysia was a family, then Johor would be the black sheep – successful, ambitious yet fiercely independent.

• The Tunku Mahkota Johor (Johor’s Crown Prince) has said: “It is different in Johor. You have to understand that in Johor we have our own way, so don’t
bring your outside influences; take care of your own states and country.”

It may sound strange to hear Johor speak of Malaysia as a separate entity, but that sentiment is not without root. Historically, Johor has always been
different from the other Malay states.

• In 1885, Johor’s Sultan Abu Bakar (also friend of Queen Victoria) signed the Anglo-Johor Treaty 1885 with the British. This earned Johor some degree
of independence, unlike other Malayan states back then. The treaty even referred to Johor as the “Independent State of Johor”.

• This southern state maintained its autonomy until the British drafted Johor’s constitution in 1895. Even then, it wasn’t until 1914 that Johor accepted a
British adviser.

• This rebellious streak prevailed throughout the country’s history. Johor eventually became the birthplace of UMNO, the organisation which rebelled
against the formation of the Malayan Union in 1946.

That act of rebellion helped shape Malaysia as we know it today.

• And yet, despite being part of Malaysia for over 60 years, Johor’s fire has not dimmed. It is the only state in Malaysia which has its own army. While its
function is mainly ceremonial, it reflects Johor’s uniqueness, marking its special status among other Malaysian states.

• The Johor royal family is also renowned for their charisma. They have a larger-than-life presence in the state and are loved by the people. Their concept
of Bangsa Johor or Citizen of Johor is well embraced. The Johor Royal family has become a unifier for Johoreans. There are no Chinese, Malay or
Indian citizens – only Bangsa Johor. Whether it’s buying groceries for the people or talking about seceding from Malaysia, the royal family is indeed a
force to be reckoned with.

Johor’s colourful history and independent streak are what make it the black sheep. And like every black sheep, it may want to spread its wings.

Abu Bakar
Al-Khalil (The Beloved)

Wan Abu Bakar Temenggong
Daeng Ibrahim
• Born on 3 February 1833 in Istana Lama at Teluk Belanga, Singapore. He was the eldest son
of Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim.

Descendent

• he is a patrilineal descendant of Temenggong Abdul Rahman who in turn was a matrilineal
descendant of Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah IV, the first Sultan of Johor's Bendahara dynasty. Abu
Bakar spent his childhood years in his father's kampung in Teluk Blanga.

Education

• Kid:tutored on Islam and Adat by local teacher.
• Trained to develop the manners of an English gentleman, and the ability to speak fluent English in

addition to his native Malay.
• Sent to the Teluk Blanga Malay school, a mission school run by Reverend Benjamin Peach

Keasberry.

JOHOR,the southern-most state in Peninsular Malaysia, is a creation of 19th century and not an ancient political entity.It was originally called Peninsular Johor, being one of the domains in

the traditional Malay empire of Johor-Riau. However, in 1824,this empire formally collapsed when it was divided to two parts by the 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty.Consequently, its domains in
the Malay Peninsula, particularly Johor and Pahang , were left within the British sphere while Riau-Lingga came under Dutch control.The British under authority of the East India Company
adopted the policy of promoting the Temenggong dynasty in Johor in order to demonstrate the legitimacy and independence of Johor as a counter to the government under Dutch control
Lingga. This status-quo provided an oppurtinity for Johor to emerge as an autonomous and independent state under the reigns of the descendents of Temenggong Abdul Rahman; first his
son,Daeng Ibrahim(1825-62), and his grandson, Abu Bakar(Maharaja,later Sultan)(1862-95).

THE RELATIONS BETWEEN JOHOR AND SINGAPORE ESPECIALLY DURING ABU BAKAR’S REIGN IS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT IS RELATED TO HIS
REPUTATION IN RESISTING COLONIAL INSTRUSION DESPITE JOHOR’S PROXIMITY TO SINGAPORE AS THE SEAT OF POWER OF BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN
SOUTHEST ASIA

HIGHLIGHTS

The importance of Johor’s economic dependence on the British in Singapore as a means of preserving the internal independence of Johor during the reign of Abu Bakar.It re-examines the
general consensus among historians who credit Abu Bakar’s distinctive reputation as the main reason for his ability to resist British intrusion into Johor despite the state’s proximity to
Singapore the seat of power of British imperialism in Southeast Asia.This general consensus is subjected to further examination as it suggests that relations between Johor and the British in
Singapore were extensively preoccupied by political rather than economic issues.In reality,economic imperialism actually preceed political imperialism or colonial expansion.It is evident
that the British authority as a whole was more concerned with the economic aspects as the main criteria in formulating their policy towards the Malay states.Hence,it is argued here that
Johor was allow to retain its internal independence as long as it became an economic dependency of British in Singapore.

ABU BAKAR,COLONIAL
TRAJECTORY,ECONOMIC
DEPENDENCY,JOHOR-SINGAPORE

CONTRIBUTION

Maharaja (1868-1885) • The overlord of the chiefs in Negeri Sembilan after the British failed to quell the
sectarian violence in Sungai Ujong.

• Involvement in the Pahang Civil War between 1857 and 1864.
• Negotiation result of trip to England in August 1884=Abu Bakar was promised

control over internal affairs in exchange for British control over foreign affairs
pertaining to the state

Sultan (1885–1895) • Instituted the creation of a state postal and judiciary system modelled along
British lines, as well as a military force, the Johor Military Forces.

• Met up with Queen Victoria, who had become his personal friend.
• The Anglo-Johor Treaty 1885 was signed on 11 December 1885 which

formalised relations between Great Britain and Johor
• 31 July 1886, Abu Bakar instituted the first state decorations, Darjah Kerabat

Yang Amat Dihormati("The Most Esteemed Family Order of Johor")
• Promulgated the Johor State Establishment Constitution
• Encouraged the development of gambier and pepper plantations.

Foreign relations

QUEEN
VICTORIA

Abu Bakar made his inaugural state visit while he was still a Temenggong. He toured England in 1866 with Dato' Jaafar, and met with members of the English royalty, notably Queen
Victoria and the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward. The Queen conferred Abu Bakar with the Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI), which he valued highly. The trip

reportedly gave both Abu Bakar and Dato' Jaafar lasting memories of England, and inspired Abu Bakar to develop Johor along British lines. Nine years later, Abu Bakar travelled to
Calcutta to meet up with Prince Edward who was then spending his time in the city. The following year, Prince Edward conferred Abu Bakar the Prince of Wales's Gold medal. He made
another trip to London in 1878, where he was invited to attend the State Ball at Buckingham Palace. Abu Bakar's palaces were modelled closely along British lines; when Prince George
and Prince Albert Victor visited Johor in the 1880s, they had commented that the huge drawing room of Abu Bakar's palace closely resembled the state-rooms found at Windsor Castle. He
was also an avid polo player, and had raced with the princes during their state visits to Johor. The Duke of Sutherland also praised Abu Bakar's hospitality during his state visit after he

became Sultan, and had reportedly enjoyed the Malay cuisine which the Abu Bakar had served to him.

PRINCE
EDWARD

Sultan Abu Bakar as Queen Victoria’s personal friend.

Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor was very unique for a Malay ruler of that time. He was the first Sultan to travel to Europe during his first visit to England in 1866,
he was super cultured, and he was Queen Victoria’s personal friend! The Queen and the Sultan saw each other as equals and she signed herself off as
“affectionate friend” in a letter to him in March 1891.

“Her Majesty the Queen has honored me with an audience, and I have had the honour of meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales and attending a State Ball at
Buckingham Palace.” – Sultan Abu Bakar, A History of Johore by R.O. Winstedt

Being the most well travelled and learned Malay ruler, he was inspired to develop Johor. In fact, it was his development of Johor and close relationship with
Victoria that helped keep Johor somewhat independent, while other states in Malaya were being forced to accept British Governors (guys who would ‘assist’
the Sultans in ruling their states).

On his last visit to Britain, he was by then very ill with kidney disease. Hearing the news, Queen Victoria sent her personal physician Douglas Powell to attend
to him, but sadly he passed away and his remains were brought back to Johor on an English warship. The Queen apparently really treasured a particular gift
from Sultan Abu Bakar, a gold and silver model of the Albert Memorial



Abu Bakar, the first Malay ruler to visit Europe in 1866. He was an Anglophile, and mingled comfortably with the Europeans.

Many state's buildings which were constructed during Abu Bakar's reign were modelled after British Victorian and Moorish architectural styles. Abu Bakar
placed the construction of these state buildings under close supervision, and was often called in to lay the foundation stones of these buildings personally. A
few of these buildings were named after Abu Bakar himself, notably the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque (Malay: Masjid Negeri Sultan Abu Bakar), which
was built between 1892 and 1900.

LEADERSHIP VALUES THAT CAN BE EMULATED BY THE CURRENT GENERATION

1. Good at appreciate every chances
2. Become more creative and not stick at just one point
3. Dare to submit opinion to the public
4. Being a good example to others
5. Always be the first person to perform a task
6. Wisely choose friends in expanding influence
7. Always trying to improve yourself

CONCLUSION

Sultan Abu Bakar is a first Sultan that make changes to Johor after his father,Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim make starting point of modernization of
Johor.He also speed up Johor’s development and ensure peace and harmony within the state. Various government departments were established. On 14
April 1895, Sultan Abu Bakar promulgated the Johor State Constitution, making Johor the first Malay state to have a formal and written set of laws.

Pepper and gambier were commercially cultivated by bringing in Chinese farmers and Javanese labourers. In 1883, the Education Department was
established to expand Malay children’s education in Johor. Sultan Abu Bakar was crowned in 1886 and wore a crown that he commissioned. He was also
the first in the country to introduced state orders of chivalry such as the Darjah Kerabat (Royal Family Order of Johor) and the Darjah Mahkota
Johor (Order of the Crown of Johor).

Western in his interests, Abu Bakar lived in the British colony of Singapore, and, in his conduct of Johore’s internal affairs (Britain had control of
Johore’s foreign affairs under terms of an 1861 agreement), he made use of Western advisers and methods. This practice stood him in good stead in
persuading the British that the government of Johore was stable and just. He also elicited British positions on important issues and established his own
policy accordingly, compromising when necessary. Thus, he not only maintained his independence but also strengthened his position vis-à-vis other
Malay rulers.

Sultan Abu Bakar played an important role in ‘westernising’ Johor’s education, legal, police, finance, prison, land, public works, marine, arsenal and
other administrative mechanisms subsequently initiating and enhancing greater understanding and long-term interrelation with western countries and also
the rest of the world.

REFERENCE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Bakar_of_Johor
https://kemahkotaan.johor.gov.my/pengenalan/sejarah-kesultanan-johor/?lang=en
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abu-Bakar
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41493411?seq=1
https://brookwoodcemetery.com/2018/08/10/abdul-rahman-andak-1859-1931-2/
http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CI/CI/pdf/mow/nomination_forms/malaysia_syair_almarhum
_baginda.pdf