Abdul Rahman Andak

Abdul Rahman Andak CMG (13 June 1859–10 September 1930) (Dato Amar DiRaja Abdul Rahman Andak) was a campaigner for Johor's independence when the British were trying to extend their influence throughout Malaysia. From modest origins, in 1878 he was recruited into the Johor Civil Service. He was appointed State Secretary of Johor in 1894 and for twenty years he was advisor to Sultan Abu Bakar and Sultan Ibrahim.

Andak was the son of Andak bin Meng, a minor government official, with his first wife Hawa Binti Abdullah, brother of Ana Binti Abdullah. His siblings were Salamah, Safiyah, and Halimah Mohamed. When in 1871 the childless Maharaja Abu Bakar sent a nephew, Ungku Othman, to be educated in England Andak was sent too in recognition of his potential. Following his graduation Andak was recruited into the Johor Civil Service in 1878.

He became the Private Secretary to Maharajah Abu Bakar in 1884 and in 1885 he was selected by the Maharajah as one of his senior advisers to negotiate the Anglo-Johor Treaty with the British Governor Sir Frederick Weld. Under this treaty the British recognized Abu Bakar as Sultan of Johor and the Treaty became a buffer for Johor against further British colonial designs in the region. In 1886 Andak received the Order of the Crown of Johor (DPMJ) (Second Class) and the honorific title of Dato’ Sri Amar DiRaja. Andak received the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) (First Class) in 1892 and was appointed State Secretary of Johor in 1893 with a seat on the State Council. For twenty years he was advisor to Sultan Abu Bakar (Sultan of Johor 1862-1895) and Sultan Ibrahim (Sultan of Johor 1895-1959). Andak's influence over Sultan Abu Bakar lead to the Sultan becoming increasingly reluctant to accept British advice. Andak drafted the Johor Constitution, the first to be written by any of the Malay States, and which became law in 1894.

Andak was the founder of the Pakatan Belajar Mengajar Pengetahuan Bahasa, a literary society. It later became the Royal Society of Malay Literature of Johor. He increased the usage of the Malay language and made it the official language of the government. A Freemason, he was initiated into the Lodge of St George No 1152 in Singapore in 1889.

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