Johor Keeps Its Independence Longest
Among all the Malay states, Johor stayed independent the longest. This was largely thanks to the wise diplomacy of its rulers, especially Sultan Abu Bakar. He built friendly relations with Britain, travelled to London, and modernised Johor's government.
The 1885 Treaty
In 1885, Johor and Britain signed a treaty in which Britain recognised Johor's independence. However, Johor agreed that it would not deal with other foreign powers without British consent, and that a British officer might be received in Johor. This kept Johor free for a time, but tied it closer to Britain.
Remember
- Johor was the last Malay state to accept a British Adviser.
- The 1885 treaty recognised Johor's independence but limited its foreign relations.
- Johor accepted a British General Adviser in 1914.
The General Adviser, 1914
After Sultan Abu Bakar died in 1895, Sultan Ibrahim ruled. Britain steadily increased its pressure, and in 1914 Johor finally accepted a British General Adviser. The first General Adviser was Douglas Campbell. With this, every Malay state on the peninsula had come under British influence, though Johor kept its own constitution and State Council.