The Role of The State Government and Ulama (Muslim Scholars) In Confronting The Threat of Foreign Powers In Terengganu : From 1888-1948

Abstract

This research examines the role of the state government and Muslim scholars in confronting the threat of foreign powers in Terengganu from 1888 to 1948 spanning over the administrations of Sultan Zainal Abidin III (1888-1918), Sultan Muhammad Shah II (1918-1920), Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam Shah (1920-1924), Sultan Ali (1942-1945) and a part of Sultan Ismail’s administration (1945-1982). The reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III was deemed as an important period since the Sultan and Muslim scholars managed to build solid relations to protect the Terengganu Sultanate from the Siamese and British influences and subsequently founded the Terengganu Sultanate Enactment in 1911. The year of 1948 was also noted as an important epoch since the British government managed to fully control Terengganu and amended the constitution of the Sultanate of Terengganu. This research makes specific analysis on the willingness of the sultans to engage Muslim scholars as a Chief Minister, Minister, Mufti (a Muslim jurist expert in Islamic law) and officers in the administration of the Terengganu Sultanate. Muslim scholars were given the role as advisers to the Sultan with responsibility in administration affairs, social development, laws, jurisdictions and international relations with other foreign powers especially the Siamese and the British governments. These relationships are analyzed chronologically and thematically. The main sources of the study are the original records and manuscripts from the Sultan of Terengganu’s records derived from the National Archive, Report of Public Record Office (from reports and British Advisor’s Letters, Agents and Ex-British officers who were stationed in Terengganu during that period) and some notes made by visitors as well as other printed sources. This research found that the government, comprised of people who were highly knowledgeable in religion, and Muslim scholars are placed in the highest position in administration and are responsible for administering and solving the society’s problems, defending their interests and sheltering the Terengganu Sultanate from the western imperialism. The solidarity between the Sultan and Muslim scholars had managed to contain the influences of the Siamese and British powers and had subsequently succeeded in restoring the power and sovereignty of the Malays, defending the independence and uplifting the religion, the homeland and the nation.