Undang-undang bagi Diri Kerajaan Terengganu 1911: Kuasa Raja dan Pengaruh Islam dalam Sebuah Kerajaan Melayu

The Terengganu state legal document Undang-Undang bagi Diri Kerajaan Terengganu (Itqân al-Mulûk bi Ta‘dîl al-Sulûk) is a printed text ordered to be written by the then ruler of Terengganu Sultan Zainal ‘Abidin the Third dated 11th Zulqa‘dah 1329 (H) or 2nd November, 1911 (C.E.). It comprises one Introduction, 53 Articles and one Conclusion, The contents reflect strong Islamic influence in the formulation of legal statecraft in a traditional Malay state, whilst still maintaining some forms of Malay state tradition in several features. The Undang-Undang Terengganu was ordered to be written by the Sultan to resist the encroaching influence of the European colonial powers in the Malay world particularly in Terengganu at the end of 19th Century and early 20th Century. This paper will not seek to discuss the details of the contents of the legal text but will only focus on two aspects namely the extends of Islamic influence, and the particular clauses that gave full authority and legal right to the present Sultan vis-a-vis the Constitution of Malaysia to appoint or reject any candidate to the office of the Menteri Besar or the Chief Minister.