Do You Know?

Dato’ Onn Jaafar Johor’s seventh Menteri Besar (1 June 1947-18 May 1950) coined the slogan Kesombongan Johor literally to mean Proud Johor. The slogan remains relevant today to reflect the sense of pride, loyalty and appreciation of the citizens of Johor for her rulers' wisdom, vision, passion and achievements, and in creating precedence in many fields. Do you know the following events enhanced the sovereignty and fame of Johor Darul Ta’zim?

Temenggong Ibrahim was self-taught in English and the art of management through his close relationship with officers of the East India Company.

Temenggong Ibrahim founded the first Malay school in Kampong Gelam Singapore for Malay students “to read and write and a little bit of arithmetic”.

Temenggong Ibrahim financed the Catholic Keasbery College, where his children and the children of his loyal followers were taught English.

Temenggong Ibrahim was the first Malay ruler to gain British recognition in 1846 for his bravery and courage in annihilating piracy in Singapore and Riau waters. Queen Victoria presented him with a golden sword.

Temenggong Ibrahim initiated the Johor government bureaucracy in 1852 when he created offices for himself, his heir and his minister.

The first English school, named The Johore Free School, was opened in Iskandar Puteri in 1864.

The first mosque in Iskandar Puteri, the Masjid Batu, was constructed in the 1870s at the foot of Bukit Timbalan. However, it was demolished after the completion of the Abu Bakar mosque in 1900.

The first Malay school was built in 1868 at Kampong Kandang Ayam (presently the Grand Palace field).

The first religious school was opened in Kukup in 1907.

Sekolah Cina yang pertama dibuka di Johor Bahru pada tahun 1901 yang dinamakan The Johor Bahru Chinese School.

The first Tamil school was opened in 1930 at Lanadron Estate Panchor, Muar.

Sultan Abu Bakar successfully defended the independence and sovereignty of Johor for 33 consecutive years, followed by Sultan Ibrahim for 14 years.

The establishment of a Council of Ministers in 1868 and a State Council in 1873 marked the beginning of a democratic government for Johor, 20 years before Perak.

Maharaja Abu Bakar was the first Malay ruler to travel to England and later made six other visits to Europe, the Middle East and the Far East and placed Johor on the world map.

Maharaja Abu Bakar was the first Malay ruler to have an audience with Queen Victoria for political reasons in order to gain recognition and support for the defence of the sovereignty and independence of Johor. As a result, in 1885, the British recognized him, his heirs and his successors as Sultan of Johor.

Johor was the first state in Malaya to introduce the railway in 1869 from Johor Bahru to Gunung Pulai. The first FMS railway from Port Weld to Taiping started in 1878.

Johor is the first and only state to operate its own railway system, the Muar State Railway, from 1889-1921.

Johor is the first state to commission a crown for its ruler and the first state to hold a coronation ceremony (29th July 1886). It was a courageous and radical move to change the native attire of the Malay rulers and a positive step towards the modernization of Johor.

Johor was the first state to create and introduce orders of chivalry in 1886, the Royal Family Order and the Order of the Crown of Johor. These Orders are the oldest and most senior in Malaya. Terengganu followed Johor 20 years later.

Johor was the first and only state to form an armed force, the Johor Military Forces, in 1886 that exists and remains relevant till today. In comparison, the Malay Regiment was formed in 1933.

Sultan Abu Bakar was the first Malay and the first Malay ruler to be received in an audience by Pope Leo XIII at Vatican City, Rome, in 1893. The Pope recognized his spirit of tolerance towards the Christians in Johor.

Johor was the first state in Malaya to promulgate an official and written constitution on 14 April 1895, followed by Terengganu 20 years later.

The constitution written by Malay intellectuals was in Malay with the Jawi script.

Unlike other states, Johor did not have a British Advisor. Instead, Sultan Ibrahim insisted the British representative be called General Advisor, thus retaining the ruler’s authority in managing the state.

In 1915, Sultan Ibrahim decreed a policy whereby all qualified Malay officers were granted free passage to perform the Haj. This policy remains in force till today.

Sultan Sir Ibrahim was the first to own a motorcar made by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) (later renamed Daimler-Benz). In 1906 he imported a Mercedes-Benz “Renwaggen”, the first motorcar imported into Malaya. The vehicle with registration number LC4775 with 120 horsepower was said to have a speed exceeding 120 mph.

Sultan Ibrahim was the first Malay ruler to have an audience with Adolf Hitler in 1937.

Hitler suggested Sultan Ibrahim purchase the Mercedes 540K Special Roadster, a rare vehicle since only one was produced. The car is part of the Sultan of Johor’s antique car collection.

The United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) was founded in 11 May 1946 at the Grand Palace of Johor Bahru following a meeting of the Malay Congress.

Sultan Sir Ibrahim was the only Malay ruler that celebrated his silver (25 years), golden (50 years) and diamond jubilees (60 years) on the throne. He was the oldest and longest-reigning monarch in South East Asia.

Sultan Ibrahim menolak jemputan Majlis Raja-Raja Melayu untuk dilantik sebagai Yang DiPertuan Agong yang pertama, selepas negara mencapai kemerdekaan.

Padang golf 9 lubang yang pertama dibina pada tahun 1930 di kawasan antara Istana Marbal dan Istana Zahrah.

Johor was the first state in Malaya to hold a grand prix for motorcars and motorcycles in 1940 and followed in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1960, and 1963 in Johor Bahru

Crown Prince Tunku Ismail is the first Malay royalty, and the first Malay to be chosen by the President of India to lead the India National Day Parade on 26th January 2007 at Jaipur, witnessed among others by Sultan Iskandar, the President of India and the President of Russia.

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim is the only Malay ruler to hold a commercial pilot license for fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, and a license to drive a locomotive.

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Crown Prince Tunku Ismail were commissioned commandos. They were entitled to the green beret and wings after undergoing rigorous military training, including making parachute jumps (19 for His Majesty and 7 for the Crown Prince).

Johor is the only state to have three city councils in one district, the city councils of Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri and Pasir Gudang, all in the district of Johor Bahru

Pada tahun 1905, Johor merupakan negeri pertama yang menubuhkan pasukan bersenjata yang dikenali sebagai Johor Military Forces (JMF) yang memberi latihan ketenteraan kepada penjawat awam.

Pada 1846, Sultan Abu Bakar mendapat kurniaan sebilah pedang emas dari Queen Victoria. Ini merupakan pengiktirafan ke atas Raja Melayu Pertama di peringkat global.

Pada tahun 1855, Johor merupakan negeri pertama yang mempunyai bandar terancang.

Pada tahun 1878, Maharaja China mengurniakan darjah The Imperial Order of the Double Dragon kepada Sultan Abu Bakar. Ini merupakan pengiktirafan Raja Melayu pertama yang diterima dari negara China.

Sultan Sir Ibrahim merupakan Raja Melayu pertama yang menyertai pameran perdagangan antarabangsa bagi menarik pelabur asing ke Johor.

Pada 1886, Sultan Abu Bakar telah menzahirkan darjah kebesaran pingat dan darjah tanda kedaulatan Baginda sebagai Sultan Johor dan jajahan takluknya.

Jalan Yahya Awal diambil bersempena nama Dato’ Yahya Awaluddin atas sumbangannya yang berimpak tinggi dalam pembangunan prasarana di Johor.

Infrastruktur rawatan air pertama di Johor mendahului negeri-negeri lain yang terletak di Jalan Kolam Air, Tasik Utara, yang dinamakan Sultan Ibrahim Reservoir.

Motto atau Seru “Kepada Allah Berserah” dan “Muafakat Itu Berkat” dimaktubkan dalam fasa 61 UUTKJ yang digunapakai buat selama-lamanya.

Johor merupakan negeri pertama yang mengadakan siri perjanjian sejak 1855 bagi mengabsahkan kedaulatan negeri.

Johor merupakan negeri pertama yang memaktubkan bahasa Melayu sebagai Bahasa Kebangsaan sejak 1956. Berikutan itu ditubuhkan DBP dan Maktab Perguruan Bahasa di Johor Bahru. Malah sejak 1888, Sultan Abu Bakar telah mengiktiraf bahasa melayu sebagai Bahasa Diraja menerusi penubuhan Pakatan Belajar Mengajar Bahasa Melayu Diraja.

Kembara Mahkota Johor telah dimulakan oleh Tunku Mahkota Johor (DYMM Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar) bagi mengukuhkan hubungan antara Raja dengan rakyat atas tema "Raja dan Rakyat Berpisah Tiada".

Johor telah mempunyai siaran radio sejak tahun 1922 dengan penubuhan satelit BBC di Taman Perwira, Johor Bahru.

Johor telah mula mengumpul dana untuk membantu rakyat Palestin sejak tahun 1948.

Hubungan diplomatik Johor-Turki telah diasaskan oleh Sultan Abu Bakar dan Sultan Abdul Hamid II yang membolehkan Undang-undang Islam Turki digunapakai di Johor.

Johor Bahru dan Istanbul pernah diisytihar sebagai bandaraya berkembar pada tahun 1982.

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