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NON-FEDERATED MALAY STATES-JOHORE
In 1910, the Sultan of Johore accepted the services of a British officer, who is known as the General Adviser, and he has been instrumental, with the help of other officers lent by the F.M.S. and Straits Civil Services, in effecting many important reforms in Johore, which promises to become one of the most prosperous States in the Peninsula.
With the construction of proper roads and the extension of the railways and telegraphs through these Native States, and the establishment of an adequate postal service, all the States have already made rapid progress.
JOHORE
This State occupies the southern portion of the Malayan Peninsula, and has an area of about 9,000 square miles. The State is ruled by a Sultan, who is independent, but under the protection of the British Government so far as external policy is concerned. The present Sultan, Ibrahim, was born in 1873, and succeeded his father, the late Sultan Abubakar, in 1895, being crowned on the 2nd of November of that year. Since 1910, the Sultan has had the services of an officer of the Straits or F.M.S. Civil Services as General Adviser, and other members of these services are seconded to control various departments, with the result that the government is now on a better footing and the finances materially improved. The country has made great progress in material pros perity, and its orderly condition has attracted a good deal of European capital, invested in planting enterprises.
The revenue for 1913 amounted to $4,378,555 against $4,348,641 in 1912, and the expenditure to $3,267,484 in 1913 against $3,231,406 in 1912. Improved methods of collection and administration, and the expansion of agricultural industry, are the main factors in the increase of revenue. The public debt is now $8,852,492, representing capital outlay on the construction and equipment of the State Railway. The money was lent by the F.M.S. The railway, which connects Singapore with the F.M.S. system, was completed in 1909, and its construction has already given a great impetus to the opening up of this fertile State. Along its 120 miles, it provides access to the extensive areas of valuable forest land not conveniently reached by the natural waterways. It is operated and leased by the F.M.S. Railway Department, which now controls the whole of the railways in the Malay Peninsula.
Fifty-six schools are maintained by the Government, and at two of these English is taught.
The Sultan maintains and commands a regiment of Malays, comprising 220 regulars and 300 volunteers, as well as a force of 65 Pathan artillerymen. The equipment, drill and discipline are excellent, and occasionally the force parades with the British garrison on field days at Singapore. A new barracks is under construction at Johore Bahru.
The capital is the town of Johore Bharu, or new Johore, as distinguished from Johore Lama, or old Johore, the former seat of the Sultans of Johore, which was situated a few miles up the wide estuary of the Johore river. The new town is a flourishing little place on the nearest point of the mainland to Singapore island, and lying about 14 miles to the north-east of Singapore city, in 1° 26' N. It contains some 20,000 inhabitants, mostly Chinese. Amongst the Government buildings are the Isatua, court and police stations, barracks, gaol, hospital, market, railway station and a mosque.
A steam saw-mill, owned by Chinese, does a good business. A plentiful supply of water, by means of pipes from a stream in the hills about 12 miles distant, has been provided since March, 1890. Good roads are being made, and, to meet the requirements of the Padang district, a light railway was completed during 1890 as far as Parit Jawa, a distance of eight miles. This railway is being extended for a further distance of 28 miles.
The population of the State at the Census in 1911 was ascertained to be 180,412, of whom 161 were British, 71,315 Malays, 63,405 Chinese, 30,904 Javanese, and 5,659 Indians. The Chinese are chiefly found as cultivators of gambier and pepper, and are spread over the range of country in the extreme southern end of the peninsula, nearest to Singapore. The imports for 1913 were valued at $9,301,509 and the exports at $14,212,850