Government of the Malay Sultanates in Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor

The Malay Sultanates Before British Rule

Before the British extended their power, five states in the Malay Peninsula each governed themselves under their own Sultan or ruler. These later became the Unfederated Malay States. Government followed Islamic law and Malay custom (adat), with the ruler at the head, assisted by nobles and chiefs (pembesar).

The Northern States and Siamese Influence

Kedah was the oldest Malay sultanate and was ruled by a Sultan. Kelantan and Terengganu were also ruled by Sultans; Terengganu's sultanate was founded by Sultan Zainal Abidin I in 1725. These three northern states lay under the influence of Siam (Thailand) and sent the bunga emas dan perak (gold and silver flowers) to the Siamese king every few years as a sign of goodwill. Perlis became a separate state from Kedah in 1843 and was ruled by a Raja from the Jamalullail family.

Johor

Johor was ruled by the Temenggong line. Under Sultan Abu Bakar, the Father of Modern Johor, the state built a modern administration and introduced the written constitution Undang-undang Tubuh Kerajaan Johor in 1895. Johor was the most independent and modern of the five states.