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| Johor by Selvarajah |
| My home town is Johor Baru, the capital of the State of Johor. It is the southern most city of the Malay Peninsular. It was once known as the "Land's End" as it is in the tail end of mainland Asia. To the Thais Johor is "Gangganu" which means treasured stone. Johor is derived from the Arabic word "Jauhar" which also means treasured / precious stone. As there has been no precious stones found in Johor, the Sultanate must have thought that its citizens irrespective of race or religion were the precious stones when naming the State Johor. Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last ruler of Malacca, founded Johor when he was forced to flee from the Portuguese in 1511. It became a preeminent Malay state and withstood attacks by the Portuguese, Achinese and the Bugis. In 1855 under a treaty between the British and Sultan Ali of Johor, Singapore was ceded to the British and Johor was to be ruled by Temenggong Daing Ibrahim. In 1862 Sultan Abu Bakar (picture below) succeeded his father Temenggong Ibrahim and established a modern constitution and an efficient administrative system. |
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| Sultan Abu Bakar had to deal with all sorts of "palace" intrigues and the British expansion policy. Yet he managed stabalise the internal problems, create an efficient administrative system and a strong economic base. He incorporated the leaders of the Chinese Ngee Heng Kongsi into the government. Thus it is not suprising that the one and only government primary english school in a staunch "Malay" state (even UMNOs "birth" was in JB} where the children of royality and government servents (including myself) started our education is called Ngee Heng English School. Another prominent Chinese was Wong Ah Fook (1837 - 1918) who was made Tuan Besar of Sungai Mersing. With a sound economic base established Sultan Abu Bakar was able to build the Istana Besar / Grand Palace (picture below) in 1866.. |
| The Istana Besar is no longer used as a "Palace" except for ceremonial functions and investure ceremonies. It is now a museum and the present Ruler Sultan Mahmood Iskandar stays at Istana Bukit Serene (picture below). In the foreground is the helicopter pad for Sultan Mahmood Iskandar likes to pilot his own aircrafts. |
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| Sultan Iskandar like his great grand father Sultan Abu Bakar likes to find out things for himself. There is no telling when, where or how he will appear. Picture below shows him having lunch at our house at Terendak Camp, Malacca after having flown from Johor Baru piloting his own helicopter. (Sultan Iskandar is at the head of the table in pilots uniform and I am on his left being served by the waiter). |
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