THE APPOINTMENT OF A MUSHIR (ADVISOR) BY SULTAN ZAINAL ABIDIN III IN EFFORTS TO AVOID BRITISH INTERFERENCE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF TERENGGANU

The placement of a British agent in Terengganu following the 1909 Bangkok Treaty marked the beginning of British intervention in the state. Although the British agent stationed in Terengganu did not wield the same power as the British advisors in Kedah and Kelantan, the presence represented a foreign element in Terengganus government machinery. The British agents presence raised Sultan Zainal Abidin III and Terengganus officials awareness of a potential British threat to the states administration. The Sultan took several actions to prevent British interference, including borrowing a British officer to serve in Terengganus government.