Tuanku Jaafar
Encyclopedia
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, GCB
(19 July 1922 – 27 December 2008) was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong
(equivalent to King) of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999 and the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Besar
of modern Negeri Sembilan
.
Having studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar
, he graduated from the University of Nottingham
before attending Balliol College, Oxford
and the LSE
. Tunku Ja'afar then joined the civil and diplomatic service of the Malaysia.
and as District Officer of Rembau
from 1946 to 1947. Upon his return from the United Kingdom
in 1952, Tuanku Ja’afar held several posts in the civil service including Assistant State Secretary of Perak
, Assistant District Officer of Parit, Perak, and District Officer of Tampin
.
for one year. His first appointment was as Charge d’ Affaires in Washington D.C., United States of America followed by First Secretary with the Permanent Mission to the United Nations
in New York
, Consular and Deputy High Commissioner at the High Commission of Malaya in London
. Tuanku Ja’afar was later appointed as the Malaysian Ambassador to Egypt
and then as High Commissioner to Nigeria
and Ghana
.
to serve as the Malaysian Ambassador to that country but was recalled by the State Government of Negeri Sembilan
following the demise of his half brother HRH Tuanku Munawir, the then ruler of Negeri Sembilan
, in 1967.
All four Undang
(Territorial Chiefs) had unanimously elected Tuanku Ja’afar as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan
to succeed HRH Tuanku Munawir. The election was controversial as the heir presumptive to the throne, Tuanku Munawir's son Tunku Muhriz
was by-passed. It has been suggested that the then Prime Minister of Malaysia
, Tunku Abdul Rahman
, instructed the council not to choose Tunku Muhriz on account of his youth (he was then eighteen).
Tuanku Ja’afar ascended the throne as the 10th Ruler of Negeri Sembilan on 18 April 1967.
of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999 succeeding Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak.
Malaysia achieved many milestones while he was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, among them Malaysia's successful hosting of the 16th Commonwealth Games
and APEC Summit, both in 1998.
Besides this, other projects that became the pride of Malaysians were launched under his reign including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport
(KLIA) in Sepang
, the Petronas Twin Towers
, the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and the new administrative capital of Putrajaya
.
between 1994 and 1999. The royal couple are blessed with three sons and three daughters whose names are:-
Sons
Daughters
Tuanku Ja' afar is also the first reigning royalty in Malaysia to have a judgement made against him in a court of law.
on 16 April 1976. Tuanku Ja’afar had always urged for the improvement of the standard of education in Malaysia. He was awarded Honorary Doctorate of Law by several universities namely the University of the Philippines
(27 July 1990), University of Nottingham
(21 July 1995), University of Santiago
, Chile (28 September 1995) and University of Brunei Darussalam (11 September 1996).
As a golf enthusiast, Tuanku Ja’afar is a regular participant in golf tournaments within and outside the country. He has also improved the standard of sports in Negeri Sembilan by upgrading the golf courses and facilities especially those of the International Golf Club of Seremban. Tuanku Ja’afar also participates in the annual Malaysian Open Golf Pro-Am from the time it was first held.
. His younger brother, Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah had passed away four months earlier. Before Tuanku Ja'afar's death, he was admitted to the hospital after feeling dizziness. He was buried at the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum
at Seri Menanti
on 29 December 2008.
(w/Collar) - 1996Grand Collar of the Order of Merit - 1995Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose
- 1995Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (w/ Collar)-1995Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross
(w/Collar) - 1995Raja of the Order of Sikatuna
- 1995Grand Cross of the Order of Merit - 1996Special Order of the Grand Cross of the Bundesverdienstkreuz
- 1996Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) - 1998
Malay titles
The Malay language has a complex system of titles and honorifics, which are still used extensively in Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders....
Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, GCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(19 July 1922 – 27 December 2008) was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
(equivalent to King) of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999 and the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Besar
Yang di-Pertuan Besar
In Malay, Yang di-Pertuan Besar, literally "He Who Is Made Great" or "Great Ruler", is a royal title.-In Malaysia:# Also known as Yamtuan Besar, it is the title of the elected monarch of the state of Negeri Sembilan in Malaysia...
of modern Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
.
Early life and education
The second son of Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad, he was the first of four children by his commoner wife, Eurasian nurse Dulcie Campbell or better known as Che' Engku Maimunah binti Abdullah. The couple subsequently divorced.Having studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar
Malay College Kuala Kangsar
The Malay College Kuala Kangsar is a residential school in Malaysia. It is an all-boys and all-Malay school located in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak...
, he graduated from the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
before attending Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
and the LSE
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. Tunku Ja'afar then joined the civil and diplomatic service of the Malaysia.
State Officer
During the Japanese occupation of Malaya, Tuanku Ja’afar served at the Land Office of SerembanSeremban
Seremban is the capital of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan, located within the district of Seremban, one of the seven districts of Negeri Sembilan. The town's administration is run by the Seremban Municipal Council or Majlis Perbandaran Seremban...
and as District Officer of Rembau
Rembau
Rembau is a town within a district that shares the same name that is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. With a population of 40,000 people the district is a stronghold of the matrilineal system known as adat perpatih, a customary practice inherited from the Minangkabaus, of...
from 1946 to 1947. Upon his return from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1952, Tuanku Ja’afar held several posts in the civil service including Assistant State Secretary of Perak
Perak
Perak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
, Assistant District Officer of Parit, Perak, and District Officer of Tampin
Tampin
Tampin is both a town and a district in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, however part of the town spills over into the neighbouring state of Malacca, as it is located along the Malacca-Negeri Sembilan border...
.
Diplomat
Tuanku Ja’afar’s diplomatic career began in 1957. He took up a special course for diplomatic services in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for one year. His first appointment was as Charge d’ Affaires in Washington D.C., United States of America followed by First Secretary with the Permanent Mission to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Consular and Deputy High Commissioner at the High Commission of Malaya in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Tuanku Ja’afar was later appointed as the Malaysian Ambassador to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and then as High Commissioner to Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
.
Yang di-Pertuan Besar
Tuanku Ja’afar was to have left for JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
to serve as the Malaysian Ambassador to that country but was recalled by the State Government of Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
following the demise of his half brother HRH Tuanku Munawir, the then ruler of Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
, in 1967.
All four Undang
Undang
An Undang is a ruling chief or territorial chief who still play an important role in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The name is believed to be derived from the Malay word undang-undang meaning law....
(Territorial Chiefs) had unanimously elected Tuanku Ja’afar as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan
Yamtuan Besar
Yamtuan Besar, also known as Yang di-Pertuan Besar, is the royal title of the ruler of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan. The ruler of Negeri Sembilan is selected by a council of ruling chiefs in the state, or the datuk-datuk undang. This royal practice has been followed since 1773...
to succeed HRH Tuanku Munawir. The election was controversial as the heir presumptive to the throne, Tuanku Munawir's son Tunku Muhriz
Tunku Muhriz
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir is the eleventh Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.-Early life:...
was by-passed. It has been suggested that the then Prime Minister of Malaysia
Prime Minister of Malaysia
The Prime Minister of Malaysia is the indirectly elected head of government of Malaysia. He is officially appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the head of state, who in HM's judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House of Representatives , the...
, Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...
, instructed the council not to choose Tunku Muhriz on account of his youth (he was then eighteen).
Tuanku Ja’afar ascended the throne as the 10th Ruler of Negeri Sembilan on 18 April 1967.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Tuanku Ja’afar was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999 succeeding Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak.
Malaysia achieved many milestones while he was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, among them Malaysia's successful hosting of the 16th Commonwealth Games
1998 Commonwealth Games
The 1998 XVI Commonwealth Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 11 September to 21 September 1998 making it the first Asian country to act as host and the last Commonwealth Games for the 20th century. A record 70 nations supplied 3638 athletes...
and APEC Summit, both in 1998.
Besides this, other projects that became the pride of Malaysians were launched under his reign including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport , or KLIA serves the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, and is one of Southeast Asia's largest airports. It is also Malaysia's main international airport. It is situated in the Sepang district, in the south of the state of Selangor, about from Kuala Lumpur...
(KLIA) in Sepang
Sepang
Sepang is a town and district located in the southern part of the state of Selangor in Malaysia. Formerly a small town, Sepang grew to several recent developments...
, the Petronas Twin Towers
Petronas Twin Towers
The Petronas Towers are skyscrapers and twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
, the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and the new administrative capital of Putrajaya
Putrajaya
Putrajaya is a planned city, located 25km south of Kuala Lumpur, that serves as the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. The seat of government was shifted in 1999 from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, due to the overcrowding and congestion in the Kuala Lumpur areas...
.
Personal life
Tuanku Ja’afar married Tuanku Najihah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin of Negeri Sembilan who also served as his Raja Permaisuri AgongRaja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...
between 1994 and 1999. The royal couple are blessed with three sons and three daughters whose names are:-
Sons
- Tunku Naquiyuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afarTunku NaquiyuddinYang Amat Mulia Tunku Laxamana Tunku Dato' Seri Utama Naquiyuddin Tuanku Ja'afar DK, DKYR, SPNS, SPMP, PPT, is the eldest son of Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, who was also a former Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia...
; - Tunku Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar;
- Tunku Nadzaruddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar
Daughters
- Tunku Naquiah binti Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar;
- Tunku Jawahir binti Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar;
- Tunku Irinah binti Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar
Tuanku Ja' afar is also the first reigning royalty in Malaysia to have a judgement made against him in a court of law.
Contributions
During his reign as the ruler of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Ja’afar focused his attention on the problems of the people and the administration of the state. In handling the socio-economic affairs of the state, Tuanku Ja’afar directed his attention to the industry and public housing sectors so as to improve the living standard of the people. As a result, several new housing areas were developed among which is Taman Tuanku Ja’afar which includes an industrial area and a golf course of international standard, Taman Tuanku Ampuan Najihah in Sungai Gadut and the Mambau housing project.Education
Tuanku Ja’afar became the Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaUniversiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
The National University of Malaysia is a public university located in Bangi, Selangor which is about 35 km south of Kuala Lumpur...
on 16 April 1976. Tuanku Ja’afar had always urged for the improvement of the standard of education in Malaysia. He was awarded Honorary Doctorate of Law by several universities namely the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
(27 July 1990), University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
(21 July 1995), University of Santiago
University of Santiago
University of Santiago can refer to:* University of Santiago de Cuba* Universidad de Santiago de Chile in Chile* University of Santiago de Compostela, in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia...
, Chile (28 September 1995) and University of Brunei Darussalam (11 September 1996).
Personal Interests
Tuanku Ja’afar and the royal family of Negeri Sembilan are known as the “Royal Family of Sports”. He and his family have shown great interest in cricket, tennis, badminton, squash, hockey and golf within and outside Malaysia. His son HH Tunku Imran has been the President of World Squash for seven years.As a golf enthusiast, Tuanku Ja’afar is a regular participant in golf tournaments within and outside the country. He has also improved the standard of sports in Negeri Sembilan by upgrading the golf courses and facilities especially those of the International Golf Club of Seremban. Tuanku Ja’afar also participates in the annual Malaysian Open Golf Pro-Am from the time it was first held.
Death
Tuanku Ja'afar died on 27 December 2008 at Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, SerembanSeremban
Seremban is the capital of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan, located within the district of Seremban, one of the seven districts of Negeri Sembilan. The town's administration is run by the Seremban Municipal Council or Majlis Perbandaran Seremban...
. His younger brother, Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah had passed away four months earlier. Before Tuanku Ja'afar's death, he was admitted to the hospital after feeling dizziness. He was buried at the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum
Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum
Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum is a Negeri Sembilan royal mausoleum located in the royal town of Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This mausoleum is located next to the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque.-Yang di-Pertuan Besar graves:...
at Seri Menanti
Seri Menanti
Seri Menanti is the royal capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Situated in the Kuala Pilah district, it houses the seat of the head of state or Yamtuan Besar, the local equivalent of theSultan...
on 29 December 2008.
Honours
Tuanku Ja'afar held the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.Awards
He received many foreign awards during his years of royal service. These are:Knight of the Order of the SeraphimOrder of the Seraphim
The Royal Order of the Seraphim is a Swedish Royal order of chivalry created by King Frederick I of Sweden on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Polar Star...
(w/Collar) - 1996Grand Collar of the Order of Merit - 1995Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose
Order of the White Rose
The Order of the White Rose of Finland is one of three official orders in Finland, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty, and the Order of the Lion of Finland. The President of Finland is the Grand Master of all three orders. The orders are administered by boards consisting of a chancellor,...
- 1995Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (w/ Collar)-1995Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross
Order of the Southern Cross
The National Order of the Southern Cross is a Brazilian order of chivalry founded by Emperor Pedro I on 1 December 1822. This order was intended to commemorate the independence of Brazil and the coronation of Pedro I...
(w/Collar) - 1995Raja of the Order of Sikatuna
Order of Sikatuna
The Order of Sikatuna is the national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines. It is conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Republic of the Philippines, upon diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states who have rendered...
- 1995Grand Cross of the Order of Merit - 1996Special Order of the Grand Cross of the Bundesverdienstkreuz
Bundesverdienstkreuz
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...
- 1996Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) - 1998
Recognition
Many places and landmarks were named after him. These are:- The Tuanku Ja'afar Power Station at Port DicksonPort DicksonPort Dickson or PD to locals is a beach and holiday destination situated about 32 km from Seremban and 90 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia...
- Sekolah Menengah Sains Tuanku Ja'afar, Kuala PilahKuala PilahKuala Pilah is a town and district in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Commonly called Pilah by the mainly Malay Minangkabau inhabitants, it is also the name of a district. It is an old valley town with many of the pre-war Chinese shophouses still fronting the main streets surrounded by traditional style...
- Kolej Tuanku Ja'afarKolej Tuanku Ja'afarKolej Tuanku Ja'afar is a co-educational international boarding school in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, founded in 1991. Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar is the first and only British boarding school and international boarding school in Malaysia...
at MantinMantinMantin is a town in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. It is under administration of Nilai District. It lies along the main road connecting Kajang and Seremban.... - Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar in SerembanSerembanSeremban is the capital of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan, located within the district of Seremban, one of the seven districts of Negeri Sembilan. The town's administration is run by the Seremban Municipal Council or Majlis Perbandaran Seremban...
- Sekolah Menengah Teknik Tuanku Jaafar[STTJ],Ampangan,Seremban