Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor  

From Johor Bahru Directory

Almarhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar ibni Almarhum Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim Sri Maharaja Johor

Sultan Abu Bakar ibn Almarhum Dato Temenggong Sri Maharaja Ibrahim (1833 - 1895), also known as Bapa Pemodenan Johor (Father of Modern Johor), was the 21st Sultan of Johor and the first Sultan of Modern Johor, ruling from 1862 to 1895. An Anglophile, he mingled comfortably with the Europeans. The British governor, Sir Harry Ord, once described Abu Bakar as an "English gentleman" in his tastes and habits.^[1] Sultan Abu Bakar had gained his share of critics, especially among the more conservative Malay scholars who were critical of his Western tastes.^[2] His penchant for an extravagant lifestyle and foreign travel resulted in a depleted state treasury at the time of his death in 1895.

2.   Early life: Born in Teluk Belanga (now Telok Blangah), Singapore, Abu Bakar was from the Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim family, having descended from Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah IV, a Bugis and the first Sultan of Johor's Bendahara dynasty. He received a Western education at the mission school run by the Reverend Benjamin Keasberry,^[3] and made frequent visits to European countries, especially the United Kingdom, to learn how to rule a country. Even when his father was alive, he had handled all matters pertaining to the Europeans and the Johor administration.

3.   As Temenggong: In 1862, then aged 29, Abu Bakar ascended to the throne, upon the death of his father, Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim. His succession, however, was an uncertain one as the state of Johor was newly established and was seen by many critics as a creation of British convenience.^[3] Moreover, the title of Temenggong was not a royal title and the Sultan of Terengganu was said to have refused to sit down with him for dinner.^[3] These circumstances may have accounted for his dash and vigor in opening up the state, not seen in other Malay rulers before, in order to prove his worth. In response to the increased demand for black pepper and gambier in the 19th century, he encouraged Chinese planters from Singapore to cultivate these two crops on a commercial basis by leasing land to them under the kangchu system. In 1866, Abu Bakar moved his administrative headquarters from Teluk Belanga to Tanjung Puteri, and officially renamed it as "Johor Bahru". He modernized the state administrative system, and established customs stations in various parts of Johor to collect duties on agricultural products. By the end of the 19th century, Johor had become the largest producer of pepper and gambier in the world.^[3]

4.   As Sultan of Johor: Abu Bakar acquired the title of "Seri Maharaja Johor" in 1868 and later the title of Sultan in 1886, which Queen Victoria officially recognized. He employed the service of Wong Ah Fook, a long-time acquaintance and the largest Chinese contractor at that time, to oversee the development of Johor Bahru, including the building of the Istana Besar, the official residence of the sultan in the city. Sultan Abu Bakar also set up Johor's land laws and the Johor Military Forces (Malay: Askar Timbalan Setia). In 1895, he introduced the Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor (Johor State Establishment Constitution) that made Johor the first Malay state to adopt a constitutional monarchy system. In the light of Sultan Abu Bakar's failing health and impending death, many see the state constitution as an attempt to preserve the state's independence, given the growing British political influence in the Malay states. Unlike the other states in the Malay Peninsula, Sultan Abu Bakar accepted a British officer as a consultant but not as an adviser, and therefore could ignore the recommendations of the British officer. The flag of Johor was also flown higher than the British flag to symbolize that the State of Johor took precedence. Sultan Abu Bakar passed away on 4 June 1895, then aged 62, in London, while trying to muster support and recognition for his rule. His body was brought back to Johor Bahru and laid to rest at the Makam Mahmoodiah (the royal mausoleum) and was succeeded by his son, Sultan Ibrahim.

See also:

• Chronology of Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor