29 January 1819 . . .
On the side of the river, they spotted a large wooden house among the village huts which belongs to the Chief of Singapore, Temenggong Abdul Rahman. After Sir Stamford Raffles, Major William Farquhar and a sepoy arrived at Singapore. They went to Temmenggong’s house.
The Conversation between Temenggong and Raffles :
Raffles: Hello sir. I am Stamford Raffles, from the British East India Company.
Temenggong: Hello Mr Stamford Raffles. I am Temenggong Abdul Rahman. May I know what brings you here?
Raffles: I am looking for an ideal location to build a port-of-call. We have chosen Singapore to establish a trading settlement. We hope that you will allow us to set up a trading settlement here.
Temenggong: I am willing to let you build a trading settlement. But, I’m afraid to tell you that only the Sultan can decide whether you can set up a trading settlement here. And unfortunately, the Sultan is under the control of the Dutch.
Raffles: Hmm, in this case it will be hard for me to get his permission. Can you provide me with some help?
Temenggong: Okay... I’ll try. I don’t know whether this will be of any help but I think I should tell you the story of the crowning of the Sultan.
Raffles: Okay.
Temenggong: The previous Sultan have two sons, the elder one namely Tengku Hussein and the younger one, Tengku Abdul Rahman. When the Sultan died, Tengku Hussein was away in Pahang. Only Tengku Abdul Rahman was with the Sultan. Therefore the Bugis chiefs in Riau decided to make Tengku Abdul Rahman, the new Sultan. All the Malay chiefs were unhappy. Tengku Hussein was also very unhappy to hear that his younger brother was made the new Sultan instead of him, so he went and live on one of the Riau islands.
Raffles: Thank you very much for the information provided. I know what should I do now. Thank you. (:
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