Raja Bongsu

Raja Bongsu as he was known
named as Raja Sabrang concomitantly
finally took on the esteemed title
of Sultan Abdullah Hammayat Shah
a royalty of early 16th century
defended the integrity of Johor Riau Sultanate
with great character and youthful chivalry
once fallen due to shifts in geopolitics
and then rose to the occasion when time permit
while Raja Siak and Raja Laut of similar ancestry
sunk in vice, self glorification and mischievous treachery
whereas Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah remained ceremonial still
during the onslaught of the Spaniards and Portuguese simultaneously
it is he, Raja Bongsu among these four siblings in history
who commissioned The Malay Annals for royal legitimacy
fortified intellectual strength with skillful diplomacy
securing the support of the Dutch and the Acehnese military
it is in this episode that we find lessons and great meaning
of the triumph of truth and good who is patient indeed
come let us dedicate a moment of prayer to him
Sultan Abdullah Hammayat Shah of Johor Riau Sultanate
for he is in our perpetual memory of those who achieved felicity.

Syed Ad'ha
7 October 2009
10:48pm

How I Wish

I once wished that
I have her for myself
so that I can bring her
the love of my life
to corners of the world
to discover and explore
but the reality is
I have Asad, Safiyya and Haydar
who are also the loves of my life
I will indeed bring all of them
to travel and venture the world
for that wish I once had
for now is expanded to include
my family, the loves of my life.

Syed Ad'ha
Toad Hall@ANU
18 May 2009
5:35pm