Malaysia / Johor

Johor History
Introduction | Attractions

With the Portuguese capture of Malacca in 1511, the Malay kingdom re-established itself in Johor. For the next several centuries Johor played an important role in the regional power struggles, eventually allying itself with the Dutch in their successful capture of Malacca in 1641.

Johor's modern history began with Dato' Temenggong Daing Ibrahim, the son of Temenggong Abdul Rahman, who was a descendant of Sultan Abdul Jalil IV of Johor. In 1855, under the terms of a treaty between the British in Singapore and Sultan Ali of Johor, control of the state was formally ceded to Dato` Temenggong Daing Ibrahim, who began to develop Johor. Land was opened to Chinese settlers from Singapore, and the cultivation of pepper was initiated, bringing Johor its initial economic base. The Temenggong was succeeded by his son, Dato' Temenggong Abu Bakar, who was formally crowned Sultan of Johor in 1866. Sultan Abu Bakar gave Johor its constitution, developed its modern administrative system, and constructed the Istana Besar--the official residence of the Sultan. He is known today as the Father of Modern Johor.

The state continued to flourish throughout the 19th and 20th century. Today its economy continues to exhibit strong growth, with healthy industrial development and outstanding trade and business facilities. The present ruler is His Majesty Sultan Iskandar, who served from 1984 to 1989 as Malaysia's Eighth Yang Di Pertuan Agong.