Islamisation of the Middle Kingdom of Indera Ponik from the Reign of the First Raja Tengah to the Legendary Datuk Haji Ibrahim of Pulau Lakei
Abstract
The Islamisation of Indera Ponik in the island of Borneo during the Majapahit Period has been linked to the first Raja Tengah in the 15th century based on an oral history transcript. Indera Ponik, the Middle Kingdom between the Kingdom of Tanjung Pura and Kingdom of Barunah (Brunei) was changed to Indera Samudera Ponik after conversion to an Islamic kingdom. The genealogy of Pangiran Indrana Rajian, the last Indianized king taking the name of Tuanku Sri Maharajian, the first Raja of Tengah to his grandson, Datuk Haji Ibrahim, was curated. The fall of the kingdom after three Sultans was attributed to the socioeconomic political conflict between the Kingdom and the Kingdom of Barunah. Datuk Haji Ibrahim was not being able to be coronated as the fourth Sultan as he did not possess the regalia for the inauguration. He retreated to Pulau Lakei at Bako National Park, Sarawak leading a solitude ending of his life. His decree was his family should not reveal of their status and the oath or Napok taken by his political allies and the local community due to the threat from Barunah. The Napok, the concept of hiding of this genealogy has attributed to the loss of a chapter of history. Today, Datuk Haji Ibrahim is remembered as a legend with strong physique and strong religious devotion who has Islamic spiritual power. His Mausoleum lies in Pulau Lakei.
