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

The Lost Sultanate of Singapura

The history of Malay Sultanate unravel long and sophisticated story if we dig inside the royal circle. The older the Sultanate, then more complicated the story and hidden history. Today we will cover of a nearly forgotten Malay Sultanate in the south of Malaya, at the Island of Singapura. Wait, Sultanate of Singapura you ask? Yes, the short lived Sultanate of Singapura had once exist and has a close relation with the modern Sultanate of Johor today. The history of the Sultanate uncover the dark history of a prince that was used as a black goat to British Colonial power in their attempt to open a British Settlement in Singapura / Singapore.

The lost Malay Sultanate of Singapura.

Pretender to the throne

The Royal Family of Singapura is the descendant of the Bendahara Dynasty from Sultan Abdul Jalil Rahmat Shah IV from the line of Sultan Hussein Shah ibni Sultan Mahmud III of Johor. The title of Sultan of Singapura has ceased to exist, but the line of Sultan Hussein still lives on and scattered in Singapura and Malaysia. The current pretender to the throne is His Highness Tengku Shawal bin Tengku Aziz.

Royal Palace

The Official Royal Palace for the Singapura Royal Family is the Istana Kampung Gelam, located at Kampung Gelam, Singapura. The descendant of the family currently has lost the palace and some members of the family is still actively seeking to claim the palace from the authority. It currently inside the compound of Taman Warisan Melayu.

History

The history of the Sultanate started after the death of Sultan Mahmud III of Johor in 1812. The throne were supposedly inherited by the first son of Sultan Mahmud III, Tengku Hussein who is also known as Tengku Long. Nevertheless, he was absent at the funeral of Sultan Mahmud III as he were in Pahang at that time. Thus, his half-brother Tengku Abdul Rahman were proclaimed as Sultan. The proclamation were backed by the Yang Dipertuan Muda of Riau at that time, Raja Jaafar.

Raja Jaafar did informed Tengku Hussein regarding the death of Sultan Mahmud III in his letter, but does not informed him regarding the proclamation of the new Sultan. Thus, before Tengku Hussein returned to Lingga, he was proclaimed as the new Sultan of Johor by Bendahara Tun Ali of Pahang. His returned to Lingga were greeted by the new Sultan Abdul Rahman Muazzam Shah who personally in favour of given the throne back to Tengku Hussein. Nevertheless, under the threat of Raja Jaafar, the pious Sultan Abdul Rahman Muazzam Shah withdrew the offer. But, still the problem arise as he can't be formally crowned as all State royal regalia were kept by Raja Hamidah, the dowager of Sultan Mahmud III who resides in Pulau Penyengat. Plus, Raja Hamidah were in favour of Tengku Hussein as the new Sultan.

During the problematic time of succession dispute is when British came to the picture, offering to help Tengku Hussein to be proclaimed as Sultan. He was proclaimed as the Sultan of Johor and Singapura in 1819 after signed the first treaty with the English East Hindies Company, and commissioned the construction of Istana Kampung Gelam, as his official residence in Singapura. His status as the Sultan however only by name, not recognized by other Sultans. To make the matter worse, the Royal Regalia kept by Raja Hamidah were seized by the Dutch, and Sultan Abdul Rahman were formally crowned as Sultan of Johor-Pahang-Riau-Lingga in November 1822. In 1824, the English-Dutch Treaty was signed. This resulted a major blow to both Sultan Abdul Rahman in Lingga and Sultan Hussein in the mainland. Sultan Abdul Rahman Muazzam Shah even though still has the sovereignty over Pahang and Johor, the treaty prohibited him to do so. While for Sultan Hussein, the treaty in 1824 acknowledge him with the title as the Sultan of Johor but resulted him to lost Singapura to the British.

The English-Dutch Treaty resulted the Bendahara of Pahang and Temenggung of Johor became exceptionally powerful. The Temenggung of Johor at that time, Temenggung Abdul Rahman gets to control the mainland as the Treaty also prevented the Yang Dipertuan Muda of Riau to vested his power to him. Sultan Hussein on his part, did not pursue any active claim to his sovereignty rights over Johor and spent much of his time at his Singapore residence in Istana Kampong Glam until 1834, when he moved to Malacca. Reports cited that he was a dispirited man, apparently with the lack of power and authority that he should be accorded as the Sultan. He died in Tengkera, Melaka in September 1835 and was laid to rest at Masjid Tengkera.

After the death of Sultan Hussein, his son Tengku Ali was proclaimed as the Sultan of Johor as Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah. Alas, it is recognizable not by the British. His claimed to the throne also closely challenged by the son of Temenggung Abdul Rahman, Temenggung Ibrahim. The tug-of-war between the two families does not triggered any bloody conflict, but in 1850s, the Temenggung succeed in disfranchisement of the Bendahara family. A series of discussion between Sultan Ali and Temenggung Ibrahim had been carried out with the British as the third party in their overlapping claims over the State's Tax collection and also the claim to the Johor's Throne. In 1850s, the region's sovereignty is still under the Sultan of Lingga who at that time is Sultan Mahmud IV Muazzam Shah and not Sultan Ali. After a series of discussion, on 10th March 1855, Sultan Ali relinquished all his sovereignty rights of Johor to Temenggung Ibrahim with the exception of Kesang District and still able to retain his Sultan title. He is now the Sultan of Kesang.

The relationship between Sultan Ali and Temenggung Ibrahim were strained even after the death of Temenggung Ibrahim in 1862. The son of Temenggung Ibrahim, Abu Bakar succeeded him as the Temenggung of Johor, and later used the title of Maharaja of Johor in 1868. Sultan Ali spent the rest of his life in Umbai, Melaka and died there on 20th June 1877. Before he died, he make up his will that the territory shall be inherited to Tengku Mahmood who was 11-year old at that time. He is the son of Sultan Ali by his third Queen, Cik Sembuk. His Will enraged some of the Malay in Singapura stating that his first son, Tengku Alam is the rightful heir of Kesang.

After he died, the Kesang Territory were under custody of Ungku Jalil, elder brother of the Sultan. Later, it was transferred to Maharaja Abu Bakar after the people of Kesang chooses Maharaja Abu Bakar to be the leader of Kesang. The handover was done by the British Governor. The act were opposed by Tengku Alam and his follower, and triggered the Johor Civil War of Jementah War. More of the Jementah War can be read HERE.

Malaysia's IGP received award from the President of Singapore

Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar was awarded the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Distinguished Service Order) by the President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam at an investiture ceremony in the Istana here Friday. The conferment was in recognition of his outstanding contribution in fostering excellent ties and co-operation between the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and Singapore's police force and internal security department, thereby enhancing the safety and security of both countries. In a citation during the ceremony, it was stated that Ismail, who was born on May 17, 1953, was a career police officer who began his service in the RMP in 1971. With more than 40 years of policing experience, his outstanding performance, strong leadership and unwavering commitment in fighting crime were widely recognised. He progressed rapidly through the ranks and was appointed IGP on Sept 13, 2010, reaching the pinnacle of his profession.

Singapore, with its geographical proximity, historical links and close relations with Malaysia, has benefited from Ismail's active and significant contributions in the promotion of close bilateral ties. The excellent co-operation in the areas of investigation, training and sharing of intelligence and information has yielded tremendous operational successes for both countries in combating terrorism and transnational crime. Ismail's advocacy of extensive bilateral co-operation has also led to the deepening of ties and development of exceptional rapport between officers of both countries.

Under Ismail s leadership, the RMP has provided valuable operational assistance to the republic's police force in solving significant cross-border crimes and crippling organised crime syndicates. The RMP has also contributed greatly to further the region s capacity to combat terrorism and crime, with its hosting of the permanent Asean Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL) Secretariat within the RMP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur since 2010. Ismail expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Singapore president, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the home affairs ministry for the award.

picture from Bernama

President of Singapore meet the Supreme Ruler

(picture from Utusan)

HM Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin with the President of Singapore, S.R Nathan

His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (The Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin gave his consent to meet an audience with the President of Singapore, S.R Nathan at the National Palace. The Audience ceremony takes place at Small Audience Chamber for half an hour. Also present in the ceremony is High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia, Datuk T. Jasudasen.

In April 1988, Nathan was appointed as High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia. In July 1990, he was appointed as Ambassador of Singapore to the United States of America, and served until June 1996. Nathan was appointed as the President of Singapore on 18th August 1999 and his six years term officially started on 1st September 1999.

On 17th August 2005, he was re-appointed as the President of Singapore and sworn in for his second term on 1st September 2005. His term shall end on 31 August 2011.