Jaafar Haji Muhammad

Who was Jaafar Haji Muhammad?

Dato Jaafar Bin Haji Muhammad D.K., S.P.M.J., C.M.G. was the first and longest serving Dato' Menteri Besar of Johor, an office he held until his death.

Jaafar took office when Temenggung Abu Bakar made himself Sultan and formulated a new constitution and administrative framework for Johor in 1885. His residence for most of the latter part of his life was Istana Bukit Senyum which was built in 1883 and a high school behind the palace, Sekolah Dato Jaafar is named after him.

Jaafar was married five times, and three of his sons were also Menteri Besar after him, including the father of modern Malay nationalism, Dato Onn Jaafar.