The Sovereign And The Constitution

Political intrigues involving the succession to the throne surfaced after the demise of Sultan Mahmud III of Johor-Riau. The Dutch influenced the chiefs to appoint Tengku Abdul Rahman, the second son, as Sultan. The British, whose main objective was to gain trade control in the Straits of Melaka, appointed Tengku Husain, the eldest son of Sultan Mahmud III, as Sultan of Johor in 1819. The British appointed Temenggong Abdul Rahman as Temenggong of Johor. After the death of the Temenggong on 8 December 1825, the post was not filled for 16 years, as Sultan Husain did not want to usurp the authority of the Sultan of Riau-Lingga, and the British was reluctant to be ruled by a native ruler. Sultan Abu Bakar, in his wisdom, took into account the events when drafting the Johor Constitution. He envisaged the constitution would guarantee the ownership of the throne of Johor would forever be in the hands of his heirs and successors.