Strategi Realisme Dalam Hubungan Diplomatik Kesultanan Johor Moden: Analisis Perjanjian Setia 1885

Realism Strategy in Diplomatic Relations of the Modern Johor Sultanate: Analysis of the 1885 Loyalty and Government Treaty

Abstract

Malay:

Perjanjian Setia 1885 menandakan satu titik penting dalam strategi diplomatik Johor untuk mengekalkan autonomi serta keabsahan Kesultanan Johor Moden terhadap kedaulatan Johor dan kepentingan nasionalnya di tengah-tengah tekanan kuasa kolonial British pada abad ke-19 di negeri-negeri Tanah Melayu. Kajian ini mengkaji bagaimana Maharaja Abu Bakar, pemerintah Johor pada masa itu menggunakan pendekatan pragmatik dalam perundingan terus dengan Ratu Victoria di London sehingga membawa kepada perjanjian antara Kerajaan Johor dengan British. Kajian ini melihat Perjanjian Setia antara kedua-dua kerajaan tersebut dari perspektif teori realisme dalam hubungan antarabangsa. Ia berdasarkan prinsip realisme seperti kepentingan nasional, kedaulatan negara, kuasa dan kelangsungan hidup. Antara strategi realisme yang awal dilakukan pemerintah Johor pada masa itu ialah dengan penubuhan pasukan pertahanan tenteranya sendiri iaitu Askar Timbalan Setia Johor atau lebih dikenali sebagai Johor Military Forces (JMF). Penubuhan JMF dilihat sebagai usaha pemerintah Johor untuk mengimbangi pengaruh kuasa besar sambil memastikan kelangsungan politik dan kestabilan wilayah Johor. Melalui pendekatan analisis sejarah dan dokumen, kajian ini mendedahkan bahawa Kesultanan Johor Moden bukan sahaja berjaya mengekalkan autonominya tetapi juga memainkan peranan penting dalam membentuk hubungan diplomatik yang strategik dengan British. Hasil kajian ini menyumbang kepada pemahaman yang lebih mendalam tentang penggunaan strategi realisme dalam mempertahankan kedaulatan Johor dan kepentingan nasional, serta relevansinya dalam konteks hubungan antarabangsa.

English:

The Government Treaty of 1885 marked a crucial point in Johor’s diplomatic strategy to maintain the autonomy and legitimacy of the Modern Johor Sultanate towards the sovereignty of Johor and its national interests amidst the pressure of British colonial power in the 19^th century in the Malays States. This study examines the strategy of Maharaja Abu Bakar, the ruler of Johor at the time, to defend his power and sovereignty and how he used a diplomatic approach in direct negotiations with Queen Victoria in London that led to a treaty between the Government of Johor and the British Government. This study looks at the treaty between the two governments from the perspective of realism theory in international relations. It is based on the principles of realism, such as national interest, national sovereignty, power, and survival. This study is qualitative by using historical document analysis methods. Besides, other sources such as books and journals are also used to support this study. This study found that one of the early the Johor government at that time was establishing its military defence force, namely Johor Military Forces (JMF). The establishment of the JMF is seen as an effort by the Johor government to balance the influence of great powers while ensuring the political survival and stability of the Johor region. This study also found that the Modern Sultanate of Johor not only managed to maintain its autonomy but also played an important role in forming strategic diplomatic relations with the British.