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e [1]
This article concerns the Sultanate of Johor. For the office of the sultan, see Sultan of Johor.
The Sultanate of Johor (or sometimes Johor-Riau or Johor-Riau-Lingga or more correctly Johor Empire) was
founded by Malaccan Sultan Mahmud Shah's son, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II in 1528.[2] Johor was part of the
Malaccan Sultanate before the Portuguese conquered Malacca's capital in 1511. At its height, the sultanate controlled
modern-day Johor, Riau, and territories stretching from the river Klang to the Linggi and Tanjung Tuan, Muar, Batu
Pahat, Singapore, Pulau Tinggi and other islands off the east coast of the Malay peninsula, the Karimun islands, the
islands of Bintan, Bulang, Lingga and Bungaran, and Bengkalis, Kampar and Siak in Sumatra. During the colonial
era, the mainland part was administered by the British, and the insular part by the Dutch. In 1946, the British section
became part of the Malayan Union. Two years later, it joined the Federation of Malaya and subsequently, the
Federation of Malaysia in 1963. In 1949, the Dutch section became part of Indonesia.
Johor Sultanate
Triangular war
The new sultan established a new capital by the Johor River and, from there, continued to harass the Portuguese in
the north. He consistently worked together with his brother in Perak and the Sultan of Pahang to retake Malacca,
which by this time was protected by the fort A Famosa.
On the northern part of Sumatra around the same period, Aceh Sultanate was beginning to gain substantial influence
over the Straits of Malacca. With the fall of Malacca to Christian hands, Muslim traders often skipped Malacca in
favor of Aceh or also of Johor's capital Batu Sawar. Therefore, Malacca and Aceh became direct competitors.
With the Portuguese and Johor frequently locking horns, Aceh launched multiple raids against both sides in order to
tighten its grip over the straits. The rise and expansion of Aceh encouraged the Portuguese and Johor to sign a truce
and divert their attention to Aceh. The truce, however, was short-lived and with Aceh severely weakened, Johor and
the Portuguese had each other in their sights again. During the rule of Sultan Iskandar Muda, Aceh attacked Johor in
1613 and again in 1615.[3]
Dutch Malacca
In the early 17th century, the Dutch reached Southeast Asia. At that time the Dutch were at war with the Portuguese
and allied themselves to Johor. Two treaties were signed by Admiral Cornelis Matelief de Jonge on behalf of the
Dutch Estates General and Raja Bongsu (Raja Seberang) of Johor in May and September 1606.[4] Finally in 1641,
the Dutch and Johor forces headed by Bendahara Skudai, defeated the Portuguese. As per the agreement with Johor
struck in May 1606, the Dutch took control of Malacca and agreed not to seek territories or wage war with Johor.
Finally in January 1641, the Dutch (attacking by land and the sea) and Johor forces (attacking by land and under the
leadership of Bendahara Skudai), defeated the Portuguese at Malacca. By the time the fortress at Malacca
surrendered, the town's population had already been greatly decimated by famine and disease (the plague).[5] As per
article 1 of the agreement with Johor ratified in May 1606, the Dutch assumed control of the town of Malacca and
also of some surrounding settlements. Malacca then became a territory under the control of the Dutch East India
Company (VOC) and formally remained a Dutch possession until the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 was signed.
Johor Sultanate
Johor-Jambi war
During the triangular war, within the Johor empire, Jambi emerged as a regional economic and political power. Soon
in 1666, it tried to break free from Johor and between 1666 and 1673, a civil war erupted between Johor and the
Sumatran state. The war was disastrous for Johor as Johor's capital, Batu Sawar, was sacked by Jambi. After the
sacking, the capital of Johor was frequently moved to avoid the threat of attack from Jambi.
In their efforts to keep the sultanate together, the rulers shifted their centre of power many times from Pekan Tua to
Johor Lama (Kota Batu), Seluyut, Tanah Puteh, Batu Sawar and Makam Tauhid during the reign of Sultan Abdul
Jalil Shah III (16231677). Johor emerged as the most powerful authority along the Straits of Malacca during the
reign of Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah III. Soon afterward, Jambi declined.Wikipedia:Citation needed
Golden Age
In the 17th century with Malacca ceasing to be an important port, Johor became the dominant regional power. The
policy of the Dutch in Malacca drove traders to Riau, a port in Johor. The trade there far surpassed that of Malacca.
The VOC was unhappy with that but continued to maintain the alliance because the stability of Johor was important
to trade in the region.
The Sultan provided all the facility required by the traders. Under the patronage of the Johor elites, traders are
protected and prospered.[6] With wide range of goods available and favorable prices, Riau boomed. Ships from
various places such as Cambodia, Siam, Vietnam and all over the Malay Archipelago came to trade. The Bugis ships
made Riau the centre for spices. Items found in China or example, cloth and opium were traded with locally sourced
ocean and forest products, tin, pepper and locally grown gambier. Duties were low, and cargoes could be discharged
or stored easily. Traders found they do not need to extend credit, for the business was good.[7]
Like Malacca before it, Riau was also the centre of Islamic studies and teaching. Many orthodox scholars from the
Muslim heartlands like the Indian Subconitnent and Arabia were housed in special religious hostels, while devotees
of Sufism could seek initiation into one of the many Tariqah (Sufi Brotherhood) which flourished in Riau.[8] In many
ways, Riau managed to recapture some of the old Malacca glory. Both became prosperous due to trade but there was
a major difference; Malacca was also great due to its territorial conquest.
Johor Sultanate
power if they helped the prince to win the throne. However, Raja Kecil broke his promise and installed himself as
the new Sultan of Johor (Sultan Abdul Jalil Rahmat Shah) without the knowledge of the Bugis. Sultan Abdul Jalil IV
fled to Pahang where he was later killed by an assassin hired by Raja Kecil.
Dissatisfied with Raja Kecil's accession, the son of Sultan Abdul Jalil IV, Raja Sulaiman, asked Daeng Parani of the
Bugis to aid him in his quest to reclaim the throne. In 1722, Raja Kecil was dethroned by Raja Sulaiman's supporters
with the assistance of the Bugis. Raja Sulaiman became the new Sultan of Johore, but he was a weak ruler and
became a puppet of the Bugis. Daeng Parani's brother, Daeng Merewah, who was made Yam Tuan Muda (crown
prince) was the man who actually controlled Johor.[10]
Johor administration
The Johor Sultanate continued the system of administration previously practised in Malacca. The highest authority
lay in the hands of the Yang di-Pertuan who was known as the Sultan. The Sultan was assisted by a body known as
the Majlis Orang Kaya (Council of Rich Men) which was tasked with advising the Sultan. Among them were the
Bendahara, Temenggong, Laksamana, Shahbandar and Seri Bija Diraja. During the 18th century, the Bendahara
lived in Pahang and the Temenggong Johor in Teluk Belanga, Singapore. Each one managed the administration of
their individual areas based on the level of authority bestowed upon them by the Sultan of Johor.
The Johor Empire is decentralized. It is made of four main fiefs and the Sultan's territory. The fiefs are Muar and its
territories under the Raja Temenggung of Muar;[11] Pahang under the stewardship of the Bendehara;[12] Riau under
the control of Yam Tuan Muda and mainland Johor and Singapore under the Temenggung. The rest of the Empire
belongs to the Sultan. The Sultan resides in Lingga. All the Orang Kayas except Raja Temenggung Muar reports
directly to the Sultan ; Raja Temenggung Muar is a sovereign and is recognised by the Sultan.
Sultans of Johor
Reign
Malacca-Johor Dynasty
Alauddin Riayat Shah II
15281564
Muzaffar Shah II
15641570
15701571
15711597
15971615
16151623
16231677
Ibrahim Shah
16771685
Mahmud Shah II
16851699
Bendahara Dynasty
Abdul Jalil IV (Bendahara Abdul Jalil) 16991720
Malacca-Johor Dynasty (descent)
Abdul Jalil Rahmat Shah (Raja Kecil)
17181722
Bendahara Dynasty
Sulaiman Badrul Alam Shah
17221760
17601761
1761 - 1761
17611812
18121819
Johor Sultanate
6
Hussein Shah (Tengku Long)
18191835
Ali
18351877
Temenggong Dynasty
18551862
Abu Bakar
18621895
Ibrahim
18951959
Ismail
19591981
19812010
Ibrahim Ismail
2010 - current
Johor Sultanate
out of his concern of his son's safety. Unfortunately he was captured by Raffles and forced to make a deal.[16] Their
agreement stated that the British would acknowledge Tengku Hussein as the "legitimate ruler" of "Johor", and thus
Tengku Hussein and the Temenggung would receive a yearly stipend from the British. In return, Tengku Hussein
would allow Raffles to establish a trading post in Singapore. This treaty was ratified on 6 February 1819.
Bendehara Ali was requested by the British to recognize Tengku Hussein as a ruler. However, Bendehara Ali has
stated that he has no connection with the events in Singapore, as it is the Temenggung's fief and stated that his
loyalty lies with the Sultan of Johor in Lingga.[17]
Anglo-Dutch Treaty
The Dutch were extremely displeased with Raffles' action. Tensions between the Dutch and British over Singapore
persisted until 1824, when they signed the Anglo-Dutch Treaty. Under the terms of that treaty, the Dutch officially
withdrew their opposition to the British presence in Singapore. Many historians contend that the treaty divided the
spheres of influence between the Dutch and the English; Sultanate of Johor into modern Johor and the state of
Riau-Lingga which exists de jure after the ouster of the last Sultan of Johor. However this treaty is signed secretly
without the knowledge of the local nobility including the Sultan and thus its legitimacy is called into question. It is
akin to the World War 2 conference in Yalta in which Stalin, Roosevelt and the other allies agreed to divide the
known world into eastern and western power blocs whilst Germany and Japan are still sovereign.
The British successfully sidelined Dutch political influence by proclaiming Sultan Hussein as the Sultan of Johor and
Singapore to acquire legal recognition in their sphere of influence in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. The
legitimacy of Sultan Hussein's proclamation as the Sultan of Johor and Singapore, was by all accounts not
recognised by the Malay rulers and his title only served as a nominal title. Temenggong Abdul Rahman's position, on
the other hand, was strengthened as the signing of the treaties detached him the influence of Raja Ja'afar.[18]
Meanwhile, Sultan Abdul Rahman was installed as the Sultan of Lingga in November 1822, complete with the royal
regalia.[19] Sultan Abdul Rahman, who had devoted himself to religion, became contented with his political sphere
of influence in Lingga, where his family continued to maintain his household under the administrative direction of
Raja Ja'afar who ruled under the auspices of the Dutch.
Johor Sultanate
Johor Sultanate
1885/19141942
19451946
Flag
Coat of arms
Motto
Malay: Kepada Allah Berserah
(To Allah We Surrender)
Johor Bahru1
Languages
Malay2
English
Religion
Islam
Political structure
Protectorate
Monarch
- 1837-1901
Victoria
- 1936-1952
George VI
Johor Sultanate
10
Advisor
- 1914unknown
D.G. Campbell
Historical era
British Empire
1885
1914
14 August 1945
31 March 1946
Currency
Today part of
1
2
Malaysia
Temenggung Ibrahim opened up Bandar Tanjung Puteri in southern Johor as a major city. Bandar Tanjung Puteri
would later be known as Johor Bahru. Temenggung Ibrahim was succeeded by his son, Temenggung Abu Bakar,
who later took the title Seri Maharaja Johor.
Muar was another vassal of Old Johor Empire and was ruled by its own Raja Temenggung. At gunpoint, the Raja
Temenggung and the chieftains of Muar handed over the control of Muar to Temenggung Abu Bakar in 1877; this
later contributed to the Jementah Civil War. Temenggung Abu Bakar, aided by the British won decisively. Abu
Bakar went to Istanbul to seek recognition as the Sultan of Johor, to allay fears of his religious credibility.
In 1885, he went to London seeking the recognition from the British Queen, Queen Victoria on his sultanate and the
Johor's independence. He is warmly accepted by the Queen and a friendship treaty was signed. After that he was
formally crowned the Sultan of Johor. This sultanate has no relationship to the Old Johore Sultanate as the Johore
Empire was broken up into its constituents; Pahang, Singapore, Lingga and Riau was separated.
Sultan Abu Bakar introduced a constitution known as Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor and developed an
efficient administration system. He founded the Modern Sultanate of Johor. He also moved the official capital city of
Johor to Johor Bahru and ordered the construction of Istana Besar, the official residence of the sultan in the city. Due
to these achievements, Sultan Abu Bakar is known by the title "Father of Modern Johor".
Johor also enjoyed economic prosperity. An increased demand for black pepper and gambier in the nineteenth
century lead to the opening up of farmlands to the influx of Chinese immigrants, creating Johor's initial economic
base. The Kangchu system was put in place.
In 1914, Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan Abu Bakar's successor, was forced to accept a British Adviser and effectively
became a crown protectorate of the Britain. D.G. Campbell was dispatched as the first British advisor to Johor.
Sultan Ibrahim died in London in 1959 and replaced by Sultan Ismail. Sultan ruled until 1981 and was replaced by
Sultan Iskandar.
On 22 Jan 2010, Sultan Iskandar died and was succeeded by his son Tunku Ibrahim as the 5th Sultan of modern day
Johor.
Johor Sultanate
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9] The Family Tree of Raja Temenggung of Muar, traditional sources, Puan Wan Maimunah, 8th descendent of Sa Akar DiRaja
[10] "History", Embassy of Malaysia, Seoul (http:/ / www. malaysia. or. kr/ frame2. htm)
[11] (Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Ahlul-Bait (keluarga) Rasullulah SAW dan Kesultanan Melayu, Crescent Publications, 2006, ISBN
983-3020-12-7, page 239
[12] (Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Institusi Bendahara, Permata Melayu yang Hilang, Pustaka BSM, 2003, ISBN 983-40566-6-4, page 36
[13] (Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Institusi Bendahara, Permata Melayu yang Hilang, page 57
[14] Adat
[15] (Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Institusi Bendahara, Permata Melayu yang Hilang, page 136
[16] (Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Institusi Bendahara, Permata Melayu yang Hilang, page 61
[17] (Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Institusi Bendahara, Permata Melayu yang Hilang, page 62
[18] Ministry of Culture (Publicity Division), Singapore; Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore., Singapore: A Ministry of
Culture Publication, pg 24
[19] Trocki, Prince of Pirates: The Temenggongs and the Development of Johor and Singapore, 17841885, pg 108
[20] (Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Perang Bendahara Pahang 185763, Karisma Publications, 2007, ISBN 9769831952825 , page 90
[21] Ibid, page 46
[22] Ibid, page 40
[23] Ibid, page 67
[24] Ibid, page 68
[25] Ibid, page 70
[26] Ibid, page 75
[27] Ibid, page 221
[28] Baginda Omar's private correspondences, National Archives, Kuala Lumpur
[29] Ibid, page 85
[30] Ibid, page 86
[31] Ibid, page 87
[32] Ibid, page 87
[33] Bendahara
[34] Ahmad Fawzi Basri, Johor 18551917 : Pentadbiran dan Perkembangannya, Fajar Bakti, 1988, pages 3334
11
Johor Sultanate
References
Borschberg, Peter, "The Seizure of the Santa Catarina Revisited: The Portuguese Empire in Asia, VOC Politics
and the Origins of the Dutch-Johor Alliance (c. 16021616)", Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 33.1 (2002):
3162. (This article can be downloaded free of charge at www.cambride.org, doi: 10.1017/S0022463402000024
(http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0022463402000024))
Borschberg, Peter, Hugo Grotius, the Portuguese and Free Trade in the East Indies, NUS Press, 2011, ISBN
978-9971-69-467-8. http://www.nus.edu.sg/nuspress/subjects/history/978-9971-69-467-8.html
Borschberg, Peter, The Singapore and Melaka Straits: Violence, Security and Diplomacy in the 17th Century,
2010, ISBN 978-9971-69-464-7. http://www.nus.edu.sg/nuspress/subjects/SS/978-9971-69-464-7.html
Borschberg, Peter, "Ethnicity, Language and Culture in Melaka during the Transition from Portuguese to Dutch
Rule, Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 83.2 (2010), pages 93117.
Borschberg, Peter, Jacques de Coutre as a Source for the Early 17th Century History of Singapore, the Johor
River, and the Straits, Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 81.2 (2008): 71-97.
Trocki, Carl A., Prince of Pirates: the Temenggongs and the Development of Johor and Singapore, 17841885,
University of Hawaii Press, 1979, ISBN 978-9971-69-376-3 ISBN 9971693763
The Johor Empire (http://www.sabrizain.demon.co.uk/malaya/johor.htm) at sabrizain.demon.co
JOHOR (Sultanate) (http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/states/malaysia/johor.html) at uq.net.au
(Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Perang Bendahara Pahang, 185763: pensejarahan semula menelusi peranan
British, 2007, ISBN 978-983-195-282-5
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