USE AND CHANGE OF THE NAME OF BUKIT TIMBALAN

1. Penang Hill and Pahang Hill in 1855

During the reign of Dato’ Temenggong Ibrahim Seri Maharaja, he used the name Bukit Timbalan as Bukit Bendera or Bukit Temenggong. This was reinforced when, Dato’ Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim raised the Johor Flag on the hill when he landed at Tanjung Puteri.

However, during the reign of Dato’ Temenggung Ibrahim there was an influx of people from Pahang to Bukit Bendera also known as Bukit Pahang/ Kampong Pahang. This happened because Tun Mutahir had a bad relationship with Dato’ Temenggung Ibrahim so there was a different naming of the place at that time. Officially, the name Bukit Bendera was used during that era because Bukit Pahang was only used to recognize the existence of population migration from Pahang (Reference: Hikayat Johor yang Kedua Tawarikh Duli Yang Maha Mulia Ibrahim).

2. Flag Hill and Police Hill from 1855 to 1887

During the reign of Dato’ Temenggung Ibrahim Seri Maharaja, his Majesty still used the name Bukit Bendera (Flagstaff Hill) and at the same time Bukit Bendera was also known as Bukit Polis (Police Hill) which has now become the Johor Bahru Telecom center. The naming of Bukit Polis was named because on 3 October 1858, his Majesty established a Security Force known as the Police Force in Johor. This police force was composed of Malays and later some of these members were made State Loyal Deputies and some remained as police forces (Reference: Royal Johor official website). The use of the name Bukit Bendera was maintained because that is where the Johor Flag was hoisted and then changed to Bukit Timbalan (Reference: TSNJ official website).

3. Bukit Timbalan from 1888 to present

The name Bukit Timbalan was used during the reign of His Majesty Sultan Sir Abu Bakar until his death and continued by his son Sultan Sir Ibrahim. His Majesty changed the name Bukit Bendera to Bukit Timbalan because that was where the Soldiers' Office and the Headquarters of the Johor Military Forces Unit was located (Reference: TSNJ official website).

HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT

1. Year 1885 to 1886

Before His Majesty Sultan Sir Abu Bakar Al-Khalil Ibrahim Shah Ibni Dato’ Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Daeng Ibrahim concluded the Loyalty Agreement with the British Government in England, he had begun to establish a Johor Armed Forces from his own countrymen, known as the Timbalan Setia or Johore Military Forces (JMF). Its establishment was intended to fulfill the terms of the agreement as well as strengthen peace and defend Johor and Singapore from any external threats.

Initially, this force was led by the Malays themselves. Later, the Deputy State Loyalists were made up of 60 Malay youths who were also known as "Constables" under the care of a Teluk Belanga boy, Syed Mohammad bin Nong Yahya. Following that, 20 people from Kabul were recruited to be the Palace guards. This was also strengthened when Abdul Ghafar took the lead to assist from a military aspect because of his expertise in the military field (Reference: Loyalty Agreement Between the Government of Johor and the British dated 11th December 1885 and its relation to the Establishment of the Deputy State Loyalists, p. 3).

Next, through the History of the Johor Military Force, page 3, Section Two, states that the use of rank at that time was sebudar or now is Captain while there is also the use of jemidar, which is Lieutenant. The proof is, Abdul Ghafur became Sebudar Abdul Ghafur/ Captain Abdul Ghafur who led 70 people from the Kabul tribe.

2. Year 1887

3. Year 1895 to 1896

Furthermore, in 1895, due to the increase in population, His Majesty Sultan Sir Abu Bakar increased the number of Malay personnel and made them into the infantry. Later, the Kabul soldiers were increased in number by recruiting members who had the ability to be used as artillery troops. In the following year, his Majesty continued the use of the band known as the Johor Band (Reference: TSNJ official website).

After the death of DYMM Sultan Sir Abu Bakar, his son ascended the throne as DYMM Sultan Sir Ibrahim Al-Masyhur ibni Sultan Sir Abu Bakar Al- Khalil Ibrahim Shah. His Majesty DYMM Sultan Sir Ibrahim Al-Masyhur changed the name of the State Deputy to Johore Military Forces (JMF).

4. Year 1897 to 1905

5. Year 1906 to 1910

Photo of the Parade in conjunction with the King of England's Birthday in Singapore 1906

In conjunction with the Birthday of the King of England, on 9 November 1906, the Johor side, on the orders of the Governor, was asked to participate in a parade with the British and other troops in Singapore. At that time, His Royal Highness Sultan Sir Ibrahim, with the rank of Colonel Commander, led the contingent with the Johor Military Forces (JMF) band known as the Johore Military Band (Reference: Hikayat Johor Yang Kedua Tawarikh Duli Yang Maha Mulia Ibrahim Sultan Johor 1941, p. 166).

Both the troops and the band were taken to Singapore; they stopped at the Tyersall area and Woodneuk Palace for training, then assembled at the Kerbau Field for a day or two. The grand parade was held on that day, with His Majesty himself riding a horse and personally taking part in the procession.

6. Year 1911 to 1913

7. Year 1915

On 15 February 1915, 199 JMF members under the command of Captain Culimore were assigned to guard Tanglin Barracks which was a detention center for German citizens. At that time, members of the Fifth Light Indian Infantry (Indian soldiers) had mutinied, believed to have refused to be sent to the European/Turkish battlefield and attacked Tanglin Barracks (Reference: Royal Johor official website). However, Captain Cullimore, Captain Abdul Jabbar bin Abdul Samad, and Private Yaacob bin Salleh were killed in the fighting (Reference: CO 273/420/75, Riot at Singapore, p. 394).

Subsequently, DYMM Sultan Sir Ibrahim led 150 men to Fort Canning after receiving news that the rebels were going to attack the British Garrison. Instead, the rebels entered Johor. DYMM Sultan Sir Ibrahim and his men rushed back to Johor to pursue the rebels. The JMF captured 180 rebels, who were then escorted to the JMF headquarters, where they surrendered (Reference: TSNJ official website)

8. Year 1916

2 Squadron Ships, 1916

In 1916, two ships known as the Squadron were presented to the British Government by His Majesty Sultan Sir Ibrahim. The assistance provided by Johor at that time was in accordance with the Setia Agreement of 1885 which was signed at that time (Reference: Selamat Johor, p. 64).

Following the Singapore Munity of 1915, the Johor government has greatly assisted the British government in terms of security, protection and diplomatic relations. (Reference: Loyalty Agreement of 1885).