Did You Know?

The JMF has achieved many milestones since its inception in 1886.

Did you know the JMF and its related matters have created history for posterity?

1. Did you know the British recognised Johor as an independent state?

In its preamble to the Johor Government Agreement of December 11, 1855, signed between the British government and Sultan Abu Bakar, the British recognised Johor as a sovereign and independent state, never colonised by any power. Johor accepted a British General Advisor only in 1910.

(Reference: The Johor Government Agreement 1885)

1. Did you know the JMF is the oldest and the first armed forces established in Malaya?

The JMF was formed in 1886, consisting of Malays. The Federated Malay States established a police constabulary, the Malay States Guides and the Perak Lancers, in 1896, mainly composed of Sikhs. Both organisations were disbanded during WW I in 1914. The Malay Regiment came into being on March 1, 1933, although the FMS first mooted its establishment on July 4, 1913.

(Reference: J.M. Gullit “Rulers and Residents Influence and Power in the Malay States 1870-1920”, Yahya Ahmad“JMF dan Colonel Commandant Sultan Ibrahim”) 

1. Did you know Bukit Timbalan was once known as Bukit Bendera (Flagstaff Hill) or Bukit Temenggong?

The hill was the site of the hoisting of the Johor flag, symbolic of ownership by Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim when he came ashore at Tanjong Puteri in 1855, thus the name Bukit Bendera/Bukit Temenggong. When the police constabulary held its headquarters there, the hill was renamed Bukit Polis (Police Hill). After the construction of barracks for the JMF in 1888, the hill was named Bukit Timbalan. Sultan Ibrahim then constructed a building on the hill, known as The Fort, to be used as the JMF headquarters.

(Reference: Dato’ Hj. Mohd. Said "The Second Chronicle of Johor", Abdul Rahim Ramli's "History of Royal Customs and Traditions in Johor".

1. Did you know the JMF used to put on a red songkok as part of its uniform?

After separating from the police constabulary in 1888, the JMF changed its headgear to a red songkok to uphold Malay traditions. The songkok continued to be used until Sultan Abu Bakar introduced the special cap for the JMF.

(Reference: Yahya Ahmad's "JMF and Colonel Commandant Sultan Ibrahim"')

1. Did you know the wisdom of Abu Bakar in designing the JMF cap?

Sultan Abu Bakar designed the cap without a bill for the JMF to enable the wearer’s forehead to touch the ground while prostrating in prayer.

(Abdul Rahim Ramli's "History of Royal Customs and Traditions in Johor")

1. Did you know the JMF cap was adopted as the ceremonial cap for the Chief Minister and Johor officers?

Sultan Ibrahim decreed a similarly designed cap but with the state coat of arms replacing the JMF badge, which was adopted as the ceremonial cap of the Chief Minister and Johor civil servants.

1. Did you know the design of the Johor International Convention Centre is based on the shape of the JMF ceremonial cap?

In 2002, the Johor Government acquired the area at Jalan Salim that housed the JMF barracks and developed it by constructing the Johor International Convention Centre (Persada Johor). The design of the building mimics the shape of the JMF ceremonial headgear, thus preserving the area’s history.

(Reference: Abdul Rahim Ramli's “Adat Istiadat DiRaja Johor Moden”)

1. Did you know of the love and dedication of Sultan Ibrahim towards the JMF?

Crown Prince Tunku Ibrahim Iskandar was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1890 when he was 17 years old and appointed ADC to Sultan Abu Bakar. After taking over as Colonel Commandant in 1895, he was seen in the uniform of office daily, thus enhancing the status of the JMF. In 1910, he contributed $5000 of his salary to the JMF. He later increased it to $10,000.

(Reference: Yahya Ahmad)

1. Did you know Muar had a Fort?

In 1888, a detachment of 120 officers and men of the JMF, including 12 Afghan guards for its artillery division, was deployed to the Muar Garrison at Fort Tanjong to provide security to the territory and the Istana Tanjong (Tanjong Palace) that was built within the garrison compound. The road leading to the Fort was named Jalan Timbalan.

(Reference: Abdul Malek Munip's “Bandar Maharani dan Daerah Muar 1884-1920”)

1. Did you know the first Government English School in Muar was established in 1890?

Sultan Abu Bakar desired to provide English education to his people to ensure a bright future. An English school was established at Fort Tanjong in 1890. As the number of students increased, the school moved to numerous locations from 1903 before settling in its present site at Jalan Meriam in 1913, now named the Muar High School.

(Reference: Abdul Malek Munip's “Bandar Maharani dan Daerah Muar 1884-1920”)

1. Did you know the objectives of the Johor Volunteers?

In 1905, Sultan Ibrahim established a volunteer force first known as the Johor Volunteer Infantry and later as the Johor Volunteer Forces (JVF) as a platform to train Johor Malays for government service and create a mobility of establishment between the JMF and the JVF. The JVF was formed in the belief that persons with military training and skills were more disciplined and performed better at increasing productivity and efficiency.

(Reference: J. M. Gullit “Rulers and Residents Influence and Power of the Malay States 1870-1920")

 

1. Did you know the JVF received its colours in 1935?

The JVF, together with the JMF, participated in the annual King’s birthday parades. Their shooting capabilities equalled that of the JMF. Due to its popularity, the JVF was established in Mersing, Segamat and Pontian districts. The JVF defended the JMF Headquarters during WW l when the latter was on active duty in Singapore. The JVF received its colours from Sultan Ibrahim on 7 September 1935 at a ceremony attended, among others, by Sultanah Helen, Crown Prince Tunku Ismail and Chief Minister Ungku Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Majid.

(Reference: Dato’ Hj. Mohd. Said)

1. Did you know the ceremonial uniform and sword of the Johor Civil Service was adopted from the ceremonial uniform of the Johor Volunteer Forces?

Sultan Ibrahim planned for the secondment of JCS officers to the JVF and vice versa. The white ceremonial uniform, cap and sword of the JVF were adopted as the ceremonial uniform of the JCS. The badge on the cap was changed to the state crest. In 1964, the ceremonial uniform was changed to a white tunic and blue trousers. The cap was changed to a black songkok, but the state crest was retained. The JCS is the only administrative service in Malaysia with a dress sword as part of its ceremonial uniform.

(Reference: Abdul Rahim Ramli's "History of Royal Customs and Traditions in Johor")

1. Did you know that Sultan Ibrahim formed a Johor Volunteer Force consisting of expatriate volunteers?

In 1915, Sultan Ibrahim formed the Johor Volunteer Rifles, consisting of British and European volunteers to assist in the state's civil defence. This force existed until the end of WW l, when it lapsed. It was reorganised in 1928 and transformed into the Johor Volunteer Engineers but was disbanded following the disbandment of the JMF in 1942.

(Reference: Tunku Shahriman's “The JMF the Oldest Army of Malaysia Regulars in the Peninsula”) 

1. Did you know in 1934, the FMS formed its Volunteer Force?

The Volunteer Force was established for civil defence. Upon its formation in 1934, the FMS Volunteers consisted of Malays. An amendment was made in 1940, where only British and European officers were recruited.

(Reference: Yahya Ahmad's “JMF and Colonel Commandant Sultan Ibrahim”) 

1. Did you know that the JMF once administered the Johor Bahru prison?

In 1910, following reports of maladministration at the Johor Bahru prison, the General Advisor proposed the appointment of a British administrative officer. Sultan Ibrahim insisted the JMF to administer the prison. Under the JMF, the prison showed a clean record of no dissent and trouble among the prisoners. Sultan Ibrahim pardoned 115 prisoners between 1910 and 1913. After new prison rules and regulations initiated by Sultan Ibrahim were in place in October 1913, the JMF relinquished its responsibilities to the Prisons Department.

(Reference: Nesamalar Nadarajah's “Johor and the Origins of British Control”)

1. Did you know Sultan Ibrahim planned for an air force for Johor?

In 1936, Sultan Ibrahim mulled the establishment of a Johor Royal Air Force under RAF supervision to be added to his highly efficient and equipped army. He was quoted as saying a modern air arm would make Johor a more powerful factor in the Peninsula's defence.

(Reference: The Straits Times July 19, 1936 “Johor to Have Its Own Air Force”) 

1. Did you know the JMF could be deployed to other states?

Article 4 of the JMF Enactment of 4 December 1915 provided the JMF not only to serve Johor but also the Straits Settlements and the other Malay States. This provision was deleted in the amendments to the Enactment made in 1948.

(Reference: Yahya Ahmad's “JMF and Colonel Commandant Sultan Ibrahim”) 

1. Did you know Johor subscribed to the proposal of establishing the air force and naval reserves?

In 1937, Sultan Ibrahim and the Johor government accepted in principle the British proposal of setting up a Royal Volunteer Naval Reserve and the Royal Volunteer Air Force for Malaya, including Johor, for five years due to the heavy financial commitment to be absorbed by Johor. The proposal became invalid with the amendment of the JMF Enactment in 1937, as Johor was no longer subject to the common obligation of the defence of the Malay States.

(Reference: Yahya Ahmad's “JMF and Colonel Commandant Sultan Ibrahim”)

1. Did you know Sultan Ibrahim wished to make Johor “The Belgium of Malaya”?

The JMF was regarded as a symbol of the requirement for the defence of Johor. The JMF’s role in defending Johor from internal and external aggression was an added attraction to foreign investment. This and the non-interference of the British were necessary for the state's economic development. In 1900, Sultan Ibrahim had the grandiose idea of making Johor “The Belgium of Malaya” an independent and sovereign state within Malaya.

(Reference: Yahya Ahmad)

Compiled by:

Dato Abdul Rahim bin Ramli,

President,

Johor Council of Royal Court.