The First Conference of Malay Rulers in Kuala Kangsar in 1897
The history of the Council of Rulers began with the establishment of the Council of Malay Rulers for the Federated Malay States. On 1 July 1896, the Federated Malay States, consisting of the states of Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang, were established. Consequently, a Council of Malay Rulers for the Federated Malay States was formed to discuss matters and common interests with the British Administration.
The first meeting of the Council of Rulers of the Federated Malay States, better known as the Durbar Meeting, was held from 13 to 17 July 1897 at the Istana Negara, Kuala Kangsar, Perak. The word Durbar originates from the Urdu and Persian word 'Darbar', which means a royal court. Durbar also refers to a public meeting or conference held by Kings, governors, or British Royal Officials in India in the past.
The Malay Rulers who attended the Durbar meeting were DYMM Sultan Idris Murshidul Aadzam Shah (Sultan of Perak), DYMM Sultan Abdul Samad (Sultan of Selangor), DYMM Tuanku Muhammad (Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan of Negeri Sembilan), and DYMM Sultan Ahmad (Sultan of Pahang). The British side was represented by Sir Charles Mitchell, Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States; Sir Frank Swettenham as the meeting chairman; the Resident General of the Federated Malay States; Hugh Clifford, British Resident in Pahang; J.P. Rodgers, British Resident in Selangor; and W.H. Treacher, British Resident in Perak. For your information, the Durbar meeting was held 9 times, with the last one taking place in 1939.
When the Federation of Malaya was established in 1948, its membership was expanded to include the Unfederated Malay States, namely Johor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, and Terengganu. Its name was also shortened to the Council of Rulers. The first meeting for this period was held on 18 February 1948 in Kuala Lumpur and was chaired by DYMM Sultan Ibrahim ibni Sultan Abu Bakar, the Sultan of Johor. The British were represented by the High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya. Between February 1948 and August 1957, the Council of Rulers met 50 times.
After the Federation of Malaya achieved its independence, the states of Melaka and Pulau Pinang also became members, followed by Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore from 1963 to 1965 when Malaysia was formed in 1963. The first meeting of the Council of Rulers after independence was held on 30 and 31 October 1957 and was chaired by the Raja of Perlis. The 25th meeting of the Council of Rulers was held from 15 to 16 October 2008 in Terengganu.
