Discussion ; Yang di-Pertuan Agong, An Emperor or not?

Assalamualaikum and Peace be upon to all of you

Happy Eid-Fitri to all of you. In this lovely morning, I have a brief period of leisure to put an article in the blog's Royal Discussion. Today topic that I want to highlight is regarding the title of our beloved King, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Literally translated as 'He who is made Lord', but the most accurate meaning is 'The Supreme Ruler/King'. As Agong in Malay Language brought a meaning of 'Supreme'. Nevertheless, despite all the effort of elected a Supreme King to become the Head of the Federation, why the title is just King? Why the nation does not used the title Emperor to the Supreme Ruler even though it is apparent that the Supreme King enjoys privileges and precedence over States Rulers.

I have made my research regarding this issued whether the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can be known as Maharaja or Emperor. A most basic ingredient to become an Emperor is that, an Emperor must lead an Empire.


A Malay Empire

We in Malaysia never run short of Empires. Sabah and Sarawak previously is a territory of the Sultanate of Brunei, which previously covers a mass land of Northern Borneo and have severals sisters States in present day the Philippines up to the Metro Manila. In Malaya, three major Sultanate have ruled the region during the times of a Malay Sultanates. The Sultanate of Johor-Riau, the Sultanate of Malacca and the Sultanate of Acheh. The quadruplet have a basic ingredient as an Empire but unfortunately, all of them are currently exist as a Sultanate.

Brunei Darussalam enjoys privileges as the richest Sultanate in the region, nevertheless its territory today has only covered a small sections of Borneo. Johor, even though still in existant, the modern Johor is a State founded by the House of Temenggung which is a remnant of the fallen Johor-Riau Empire. Malacca which a major power in the past has ceased to exist and all Malaccan royalty descendant who ruled a State of Johor, Pahang and Perak in the past has all ceased to exist. Johor and Pahang royalty nowadays is a descendant of Bendahara Tun Habab, Marhum Pedang Saujana while Perak is a descendant of Siak Royalty.

So, a direct line to the past Malay Empire is save to say, has all ceased to exist and no longer ruled any States or nation.


An ingredient of an Empire

Probably all of us has been wondering what is the characteristics of Empire? Here is the main characteristics to become an Empire.

1. The populations of an Empire is culturally and ethnically distinct from the imperial ethnic group. (Our beloved King are known as Malay Royalties and Malay by racial composition. Malaysia also exist as multi-racial country. So, Yes. We have the first ingredients).
2. Empire is form by either Direct Conquest by military expansion control with force or Indirect Conquest control with power. (Malaysia was formed when Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore federate with States of Malaya. So, No. we do not have the second ingredient. And modern Malaysia never gain any territory by military might.)

Conclusion

By the second characteristics, I supposed we will have ourselves a Constitutional Crisis if we're to used the term Emperor to describe our King. The description clearly stated that Empire controls its territory by force and power unlike federation which composed of voluntarily extensive territory of autonomous states and people. We never forced Bruneian to insert the Sultanate into the new country in 1963 who clearly against the Malaysia idea. Even though we can actually said that Singaporean has in some way been forced to accept Malaysia because they can't say no when their government held a referendum regarding the union, even though only 25% chooses not to vote in the referendum.

In conclusion, the title of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the best title to describe our beloved monarch as a symbol of unity to all Malaysians. A radiant yet down to earth royal title as a pillar of the nation and defender of the people. Daulat Tuanku. 

Sultan of Johor hosted Eid-Fitri Feast

His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibnni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar hosted the Eid-Fitri Feast at Istana Pasir Pelangi in Johor Bahru, Johor. The feast was held on the second day of Eid-Fitri from 9 am to 4 pm. The Sultan and members of Johor Royal Family arrived at the feast around 10 am. Accompanied the Sultan were his consort, Her Royal Highness Tuanku Raja Zarith Sofia ibni Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, the Tunku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Johor, Tunku Ismail Idris Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, and the rest of royal family. 

It is estimated around 40,000 people attended the feast. Among others were several Deputy Ministers, members of State Executive Councillors, Head of Departments and Foreign Diplomats. Several Ministers of Singaporean Government also attended the feast. Among those who attended were Minister Chan Chun Sing and Minister Lui Tuck Yew. It is a break of tradition because in the past, the Prime Minister of Singapore himself will attended the feast, represented a strong bond between the two governments. Even though it is understandable as the feast was hosted on August 9, the same day as Singapore's Independence Day.

In the feast, peoples from various background taking the chance to shakes hand and taking pictures with the Sultan and the Royal Family.

The Royal Family of Johor in 2013

Eid-Fitri with the Supreme Ruler

Happy Eid-Fitri celebration to all Muslim in Malaysia and all around the world. As a custom practice here in Malaysia, the Malay Muslims usually will return to their homeland and celebrated the Eid-Fitri with family members. The value of solidarity and bond with family members is a must in this time of year. Our beloved royals also did not miss this opportunity to strengthen the relation between the palace and its people. 

On the first day of Eid-Fitri Celebration, Their Majesties the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Ruler) and Raja Permaisuri Agong (Supreme Queen) hosted the Eid-Fitri Feast held at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. Almost 20,000 people attended the feast consist of various background, religion and races, as well as tourist and foreigners. The visitors get the opportunity to shakes hand with the King and received duit raya from the King for children. 

picture from Bernama

10 Individuals was held in front of Istana Negara

Police Monday arrested 10 people who had gathered at a gate of the Istana Negara and claimed to be the heirs of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The eight men and two women, attired in black and who had come in three cars, were held at Gate 1 of the palace at about 4 pm, said Brickfields Deputy OCPD Supt Aida Abdul Hamid. She said the individuals claimed to be from the 'Kumpulan Panji Hitam' of the so-called 'Timur Empayar Langkasuka Nusantara' and stated that they had come to the palace because they were the real heirs of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Their cars were also seized and they were brought to the Travers police station, she added.

Aida said no weapons were found on them except for 13 flags which bore words in Jawi and several letters of allegiance in the cars. Preliminary investigation showed that seven of them were from Melaka, Perak and Kedah, she added.

RADIN'S BLOG OFFICIAL STATEMENT II

The so called Kumpulan Panji Hitam is a cult group who's claimed as followers to Tuanku Sultan Raja Merongmahawangsa II who claimed the rightful heir to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's throne. Nevertheless, his claimed is baseless and another self-proclaimed king as the position of Yang di-Pertuan Agong is appointed from a rotation circle of 9 Malay Rulers who ruled 9 of Malaysia's State. Not just only the position of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he also claimed as the ruler of Empayar Langkasuka Nusantara, a imaginary kingdom which he claimed consist of an area of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, The Philippines, Japan, Southern India, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, New Zealand, China and Australia. 

In this post, Radin's Blog will not tolerate this kind of behavior and from this day onward reject, deny and will not acknowledge claims from Kumpulan Panji Hitam neither to the Malaysia's throne nor to the East Asia and Australasia continent.