An ancient Malay title of nobility, usually given to the cief of public security. The Temenggung is usually responsible for the safety of the monarch as well as the state police and army. The office was usually a stepping stone to the higher title of Bendahara, or prime minister.
In Johor, Malaysia, the title of the head of state between 1760 and 1873. The full rendition was Temenggung Seri Maharaja. Although head of the state's administration, the Temenggung held the fiefdom of Johor and Singapore by virtue of his being a vassal of the sultan, who resided in Riau. In 1873, the Temenggung declared himself maharaja. In 1885, he assumed the title of sultan.
