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. 

Royal News Round-up July 2013 I ; The Syarqiyyah Palace

The Sultanate of Terengganu witnessed the new official palace to the Sultan of Terengganu, the Syarqiyyah Palace which has been used for the first time. The Palace has been inaugurate as the Syarqiyyah Palace which means 'the pearl of the east'. The Palace was first name as Istana Bukit Chendering due to its location on the hill situated in the Chendering Sub-district. The palace inauguration ceremony was started with the Palace's religious official performed the azan calls following the rising of the Sultan's Royal Standard and the Menteri Besar announced the new name of the Palace. The inauguration ceremony was following the royal assent given by Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu regarding the new name on 4th July 2013.

The palace construction was started in 2006 and will be fully completed in 2014. The Throne Room of the Palace was first used for the Investiture Ceremony of State Honours and Medal in conjunction of the Sultan's Birthday Celebration on last July 7th, 2013. 

The Throne of Terengganu consisting of 3 domes. The main dome is for the Sultan and the Queen of Terengganu, meanwhile the other 2 domes situated in the right and left are for the Yang Dipertuan Muda (Crown Prince) and Crown Princess of Terengganu. The seat of Crown Princess is left vacant as the Crown Prince is still yet to be married.  

Early of July

First of all, thank you for all of my visitors for spending some times surfing my blog. Its has been a thrill to manage a royal blog specifically regarding the Malaysia's royalties. And it is in my best interest to see that my blog to be the best among the best. Malaysia : Land of nine kings is the official name for this blog. It takes me one whole year to collect all information of Malaysia royalty including pictures. And this is the problem or weakness that I will try to solve as early as possible.

Apology from my side if there are some of you that feel disappointed regarding this matter. When I first started the blog, all pictures are posted in the photobucket account. Nevertheless, when the blog becomes bigger and visitors increases, the account can no longer supports it. Thus, I will in my utmost confidence will solve this as soon as possible.

Thanks again for all of your support.
Salam.

Royal News Round-Up June 2013 III ; The Royal Wedding

Thanks be to Allah as the long awaited news finally arrived for the State of Kelantan following the marriage of Her Royal Highness Tengku Amalin Aishah Putri binti Sultan Ismail Petra II to the Brunei's Royalty, His Highness Pangeran Muda Abdul Qawi. The couple were united in holy matrimony in the ceremony held at the Istana Mahkota, Kubang Kerian. The nikah  ceremony were held on 28th June 2013.

His Highness Pangeran Muda Abdul Qawi, were born on 27th January 1974. Meanwhile Tengku Amalin Aishah Puteri were born on 26th June 1984.

After the nikah ceremony, the sanding and reception ceremony were held on the next day, 29th June 2013. The sanding ceremony were held at the State Palace of Kubang Kerian.

Royal News Round-Up June 2013 II ; Johorean Royalties Royal Debut

After we cover the engagement of Tengku Amalin Aishah Putri of Kelantan, we will travel back to the Land of Greatness located in the southern most tip of Peninsular Malaysia, the State of Johor Darul Takzim. Its a rare sight to see the Johorean Royalties at work, but in this several week of June, we can witness several Johorean Royalties taken up their duty as royalty. First of all, the only daughter of the Sultan of Johor, Her Highness the Tunku Tun Aminah ibni Sultan Ibrahim of Johor has consent to officiates the inauguration ceremony of Tunku Tun Aminah Library located in the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The library is the largest library in South East Asia. 

His Royal Highness the Tunku Laksamana of Johor, Tunku Abdul Jalil Iskandar ibni Sultan Ibrahim also has started his own way to deepen his relation with the people of Johor. The Prince who has his own followers in the social website Facebook has organize a function to meet his followers located in Stulang Walk. The function were organize on last 3rd June 2013.

pictures from Kesultanan Johor facebook account

Royal News Round-up June 2013 I ; A Royal Engagement

The royal news round-up segment coming again for this month. For this segment of the month, lets us travel to the Land of Beauty, The State of Kelantan Darul Naim following a royal engagement and also a royal wedding at the end of June. The youngest and only sister of His Royal Highness the Al-Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, Her Royal Highness Tengku Amalin Aishah Putri binti Sultan Ismail Petra II were officially engaged with His Highness Pangeran Muda Abdul Qawi ibni Pangeran Muda Mohammed Bolkiah of Brunei. The engagement however were kept secret in the royal circle and only royalties and invited dignitaries known of such engagement. 

Her Royal Highness Tengku Amalin Aishah Putri ibni Sultan Ismail Petra II
of Kelantan

It is only I read this news in Maharum Bugis Syah that I knew of such happy news. Congratulations to Tengku Amalin Aishah Putri for the engagement. The royal couples will be married on 28th June 2013.

pictures from Maharum Bugis Syah

Trooping the Colour Ceremony 2013

In conjunction with the Birthday Celebration of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia, the Trooping the Colours Ceremony was held located at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur. Their Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah attended the ceremony which to honour the services of the Armed Forces to the nation. Their Majesties arrived at Merdeka Square at 9 am yesterday and their arrivals were greeted by the Prime Minister,Datuk Seri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abd Razak and the Minister of Defense, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin bin Tun Hussein. The 21 salutation shots were fired followed the played of the National Anthem, Negaraku. His Majesty later receives the salutation from the Armed Forces consist of the regiment/cor of the three branch of the Malaysian Armed Forces. The Malaysian Army, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Tuanku Abdul Halim later consent to inspection the Guard-of-Honour consist of 22 officials and 540 personnel from the First Regiment of Malay Royal Regiment Army headed by Left. Kol. Mohd Rosli Abu Bakar. The Supreme Ruler were accompanied by the Chief of the Armed Forces, General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin. 

Also attended the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Cabinet Ministers, Officials of the armed forces, High Commissioners and Ambassadors and Foreign Diplomats.