Johor History

With the Portuguese capture of Malacca in 1511, the Malay kingdom re-established itself in Johor. It is believed that Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last ruler of Malacca, founded of Johor, he was forced to flee from the Portuguese in 1511.

After the death of Sultan Mahmud Shah, his son Alauddin Riayat Shah moved the capital to Kota Tinggi in Johor. The Sultan was able to build a strong kingdom, was feared by many of his enemies, and was able to make Johor a preeminent Malay state. However, this did not make the end of fights and intrusion from intruders and outsiders. In the 16th Century, the state was again attacked by the Portuguese followed by the Achinese from Sumatra, and later the Bugis from Sulawesi. However, the Malay rulers of Johor managed to hold their empire against all odds. For the next several centuries Johor played an important role in the regional power struggles, has eventually developed to become one of the most populated states in Malaysia.

For the next decades, Johor's modern history started began with Dato' Temenggong Daing Ibrahim, the son of Temenggong Abdul Rahman, who was a descendant of Sultan Abdul Jalil IV of Johor. In 1819, when Sir Stamford Raffles set foot in Singapore, he witnessed the civil war within the court of the Johor Sultan, which was divided by Malay kingdom and Bugis government. He pensioned off the sultans and gave actual power to the "Temenggong" (Malay minister). Hence, Temenggong Abu Bakar was given that privilege to rule Johor.

In 1855, under the terms of a treaty between the British in Singapore and Sultan of Johor, the land of Johor was opened to Chinese settlers from Singapore, and the cultivation of pepper was initiated, bringing Johor its initial economic base. The Temenggong was succeeded by his son, Dato' Temenggong Abu Bakar, who was formally crowned Sultan of Johor in 1886 and he elevated himself to the position of Sultan. He persevered to build up the state and to modernize its administration. Sultan Abu Bakar established Johor Bahru(New Johor) as the capital city and began modernizing it. The Sultan gave Johor its constitution, developed its modern administrative system, and reconstructed the Istana Besar--the official residence of the Sultan. Because of his great contribution in the development of Modern Johor state. He was thus aptly called "The Father of Modern Johor".

In 1941, the peninsula fell under Japanese occupation and finally became part of the Federation of Malaya in 1948. After independence in 1957, Malaysia has evolved into a combination of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Johor is now a prosperous state with an expanding economy, fueled by agriculture, manufacturing, commerce and tourism.

The state continued its glories throughout the 19th and 20th century. Today its economy continues to exhibit strong growth, with healthy industrial development and outstanding trade and business facilities.

Copyright © by JohorNet. All Right Reserved.