Royal Johor Military Force

Johor is the first State to have its own military force and the only military force to be financed by the State Government, which still exists until today and named the Royal Johor Military Force. The Royal Johor Military Force is an army battalion formed during the reign of Sultan Sir Ibrahim Iskandar Al-Masyhur Ibni Almarhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar, Sultan of Johor Darul Takzim.

Among those who had served in the Royal Johor Military Force were:

• DYMM Sultan Iskandar Alhaj Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Ismail, Sultan of Johor. Sultan Iskandar ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail had received military training in the Royal Johor Military Force. His Royal Highness was also holder of the post Commander of the Royal Johor Military Force.
• Tun Hussein Onn, the third Prime Minister of Malaysia. Tun Hussein Onn had also joined the Royal Johor Military Force. After completing school in 1940, he served as a cadet in the Royal Johor Military Force before being sent at the beginning of 1941 to the Military Academy in Dehra Dun, India and received a Commission in 1942. After that he joined the 19th Hydrabad Regiment in India.
• General (Rt) Ibrahim bin Ismail-former Commander of Malaysian Arm Forces. General (B) Ibrahim Bin Ismail had joined and served as a cadet in the Royal Johor Military Force before being sent in early 1941 to the Military Academy in Dehra Dun, India and received a Commission in 1942. After that he joined the 19th Hydrabad Regiment in India.
• Ungku Ahmad bin Abd Rahman. One amongst 3 people who were sent in early 1941 to the Military Academy in Dehra Dun, India.
• Dato Onn Jaafar
• Ungku Abdul Hamid bin Ungku Abdul Majid, father of YM. Professor Diraja Tun Dr Ungku Abdul Aziz bin Ungku Abdul Hamid served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Johor Military Force and achieved the rank of Major in 1926.

The Origin Of The 'Jalur Gemilang' (Stripes of Glory)

The design of Jalur Gemilang/current Malaysian flag was the idea of a native and an architect of the Johor State Government, Mr. Mohamad bin Hamzah.

The choice of flag design started from a flag designing competition for the newly formed Federation of Malaya in 1949. This national competition was organized by the Federal Legislative Council and participated by 373 artists. Out of the total, three new flag designs for the Federation of Malaya were selected for the final.

The first design was cross dagger symbol in the middle, surrounded by 11 five-pointed stars. The second design was similar to the first but the 11 five-pointed stars were arranged in two circles around the cross dagger. The third design was 11 blue and white stripes with yellow moon and star on the left side.

The Federal Legislative Council had given the public opportunity to present their feedbacks for all three designs. The outcome of the public opinion conducted by The Malay Mail was published on November 29, 1949. The final result showed that the majority had chosen the design created by Mr. Mohamed bin Hamzah.

The Pioneer Author Of The Malay History

The pioneer author of the Malay History was Tun Seri Lanang who was born in Bukit Seluyut, Johor in 1565. Tun Seri Lanang was the Bendahara Paduka Raja (Royal Treasurer), Johor between 1580 and 1615, as well as the editor of the Malay History (book, 1612); who happenned to be the great-grandfather of the Sultan of Johor and the Sultan of Terengganu.

The genealogy of the Sultanate of Terengganu in Terengganu History (book) by Haji Buyong Adil published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1974 stated that Tun Habib Abdul Majid (Bendahara Seri Maharaja Johor - Marhum Padang Saujana – Bendahara Johor 1688-1697) who became Treasurer of Johor 1688 to 1697, was the father of Sultan Zainal Abidin I (the first Sultan of Terengganu) and Sultan Abdul Jalil IV (Sultan of Johor from 1699 to 1719). It was further shown that Tun Habib Abdul Majid was the son of Tun Mat Ali (Bendahara Paduka Maharaja, Johor), the son of Tun Seri Lanang (Bendahara Paduka Raja, Johor 1580-1615).

To the knowledge of the Malays, Tun Seri Lanang’s name was better known as one of the eminent intellectuals and sole Malay author equivalent to Munshi Abdullah (Author of Hikayat Abdullah).

Formation of UMNO

Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu / United Malay National Organisation was founded in May 11, 1946 at the Grand Palace, Johor Bahru, Johor, under the leadership of Dato 'Onn Jaafar. The historic moment began with a mass rally called Kongres Melayu Se-Malaya Pertama, organised by Persatuan Melayu Selangor at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur from March 1 to March 4, 1946 and a total of 41 Malay Organizations had sent their representatives.

Dato Onn bin Jaafar from the Johor Malay Association was elected as Chairman of Congress. Almost all organization representatives including two children representatives gave speeches.

Three resolutions were passed by Congress, as follows:

• Established the United Malays National Organisation
• To oppose the formation of the Malayan Union
• Make available the national education donations, for the Malays only.

A committee comprising of Dato Onn Jaafar, Dato Panglima Bukit Gantang, Dato Nik Ahmad Kamil, Dato Hamzah Abdullah and Mr Zainal Abidin Ahmad (Zaaba) was selected to prepare a draft charter or UMNO Constitution to be presented and approved by the Kongres Melayu Se-Malaya, eventually.

Although there was great opposition from the Malays, the British Government proceeded with their plans and on 1 April 1946 established the Malayan Union. The Malays and Malay Organizations continued to oppose and did not give any support to the Malayan Union. On May 11, 1946, the third Kongres Melayu Se-Malaya and the first general assembly of Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu (United Malay National Organization) or PEKEMBAR (UMNO), took place at the Istana Besar Johor Bahru and the Umno Constitution was accepted and approved by the participants. So, UMNO was officially born.