The luminaries of Johor public service
Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli
2009/08/10
THE Johor public service was initiated by Temenggong Ibrahim in 1855 when he established the office of the Menteri and appointed Abdullah Mohamad Tahir, better known as Inche Long Menteri, as his first minister to look after the domestic affairs of Johor.
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| Dato’ Jaafar Mohamad was the first Menteri Besar of Johor. |
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| Mohamed Salleh Perang, who was Dato’ Bentara Luar, brought Wayang Bangsawan and Malay music, including the ghazal, to places which he had opened up. |
In 1866, the court of Temenggong Abu Bakar moved from Telok Belanga to Johor Baru, and the work of organising modern Johor began in earnest, carried out by loyal and dedicated chiefs and followers of the Temenggong.
The period of Abu Bakar's reign was the most creative period in the history of modern Malaya. It produced men of talent and ability in almost every sphere in the state.
Among them were Jaafar Mohamad, Mohamad Ibrahim Abdullah Munshi, Mohamed Salleh Perang, Abdul Rahman Andak, Yahya Awaludin, to name a few.
Even some close relatives of Abu Bakar were men of extraordinary character.
Jaafar, a nephew of Inche Long Menteri, was born in Telok Belanga in 1838. He was educated in Malay and English. At 16, he was appointed as a junior clerk in his uncle's office.
In 1856, Jaafar was promoted to chief clerk, and was conferred the title of Dato' Bentara. He acted as chief minister from 1863 following the death of his uncle.
Due to his ability and excellent performance, he was appointed by Abu Bakar as the first Menteri Besar of Johor in 1882.
Jaafar accompanied Abu Bakar on his first trip to England in 1866. His capability in administering the state was recognised by Abu Bakar who appointed him as regent on occasions when Abu Bakar was away. He was also regent in 1904 when Sultan Ibrahim was away.
The colonial office viewed him as a straight-forward man. But in reality, he possessed the same fierce attitude as Abdul Rahman Andak in preserving Johor's independence. However, with British political intrigue, Johor had to reluctantly accept Douglas Campbell as the first General Adviser in 1910.
Jaafar was credited as one of the promulgators of the state constitution. He was conferred the DK and SPMJ in 1886. He died on July 31, 1919, at his residence Senyum, and was buried at Mahmoodiah. His three sons, Dato' Abdullah, Dato' Mustafa and Dato' Onn became chief ministers after him.
Jalan Dato' Menteri leading to the then official residence of the Menteri Besar at Bukit Ledang and Jalan Dato' Jaafar in Larkin are named in his honour.
Mohamad Ibrahim, better known as Dato' Bentara Dalam, made his career by a different route.
He was a contemporary of Abu Bakar at Keasberry Academy. He first became a teacher at a Malay school in Telok Belanga and then as a language coach to young British officials studying Malay. In the early 1870s, Abu Bakar sent him to the west coast of Malaya as an interpreter on loan to the colonial office. In 1878, he accompanied Abu Bakar as his principal aide to Europe.
It was all part of what a modern civil service would call career development for high fliers.
Mohamad Ibrahim was, at various times, state secretary, Dato' Bentara Dalam, and finally in the last year of his life, the deputy chief minister.
He was best remembered for his work in the development of education, for which he was dubbed the Father of Malay Education in Johor.
In 1902, he introduced compulsory education for children aged 7 to 16, and delinquents who did not attend school were arrested by the police. Errant parents were fined $25. This was an eye opener for parents to ensure their children receive education.
Mohamad Ibrahim was conferred the SPMJ in 1866 and the DK in 1903. He died on April 5, 1904 and was buried in Mahmoodiah. Jalan Dato' Dalam and Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim are named after him.
Salleh, born of Bugis ancestry in 1841, made his reputation by suppressing an uprising known as the Jementah War in 1879.
With the knowledge of surveying, which Salleh learnt from Henry MaCallum, he plotted a complete map of Johor in Jawi.
He learnt Chinese from a local teacher and as Dato' Bentara Luar in charge of agricultural development, this knowledge was instrumental in his dealings with Chinese pepper and gambier growers.
He set up a Malay group to perform the Chinese dragon dance, the last performance being during Sultan Ibrahim's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1955.
Salleh was conferred the SPMJ in 1886. Late in his career, he did not enjoy the confidence of Sultan Ibrahim.
Salleh was a man of high integrity and he amassed no riches.
He spent his own money in the opening of Batu Pahat, often taking loans from the Orangkaya Bagan. He declined an offer by the state for land to start an estate.
He went on enforced retirement with a monthly pension of $300. He died penniless on July 21, 1915, and was buried at Mahmoodiah.
His legacy lives on, however. He had brought Wayang Bangsawan and Malay music, including the ghazal, to places which he had opened up.
His grandson, Kolonel Musa Yusof of the Johor Military Force, and better known as Pak Lomak, continued his interest in ghazal.
Among Pak Lomak's evergreen songs are Sri Mersing, Pak Ngah Balik, Musalmah, and Makan Sirih.
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