Tracing the Story of King Nong Isa, the First Ruler of Batam Island

For the indigenous people of Batam, the name Raja Nong Isa must be familiar. Raja Nong Isa or Raja Isa bin Raja Ali is the ruler or can also be said to be the first person to pioneer the forerunner of Batam Island into a city like today. King Nong Isa, who opened Nongsa Village in the north of Batam Island. In the book Nong Isa, Milestone of Batam Government, written by Ahmad Dahlan, Aswandi Syahri, and Edi Sutrisno, Nong Isa was named Raja Isa.

His father was Raja Ali, son of Daeng Kemboja Yang Dipertuan Muda Riau III, who succeeded Raja Haji Fisabilillah as Yang Dipertuan Muda Riau as Yang Dipertuan Muda Riau V. His biological mother was Raja Penuh binti Sultan Salehuddin, Sultan of Selangor. His wife was Raja Buruk binti Raja Abdulsamad ibni Daeng Kamboja or Engku Wok or Engku Wuk. In addition, he also had a second wife whose name is unknown.

In Dutch archives, Raja Isa is seen as an important figure in the Riau royal family on Penyengat Island, and his name is recorded alongside other figures such as Raja Jakfar Yang Dipertuan Muda Riau VI and others. According to the Riouw Resident, LC Von Ranzouw, Raja Isa served as an opvolger or Kelana to replace Raja Jakfar if Yang Dipertuan Muda Riau died. The Kelana position was one of the most important positions in the royal hierarchy of Riau-Lingga-Johor-and Pahang, as it was once held by Raja Haji Fisabilillah. Raja Nong Isa was the first ruler of Batam Island, which was then centered in Nongsa. After its opening by Raja Nong Isa, Nongsa slowly developed into an important port, replacing the harbor area around Bulang Strait which had been deserted since Temenggung Abdulrahman moved to Singapore in 1818. From 1829, Nongsa took over the function of the Bulang Strait. All ships originating from Riau (Tanjungpinang, Penyengat Island) and the islands to the south of Bintan Island first stop at Nongsa before crossing to Singapore. The inauguration of Raja Isa’s command over Nongsa and the surrounding region in the name of Sultan Abdulrahman Syah Lingga-Riau (1812-1832) and Yang Dipertuan Muda Riau Raja Jakfar (1808-1832) was very important for the history of Batam.

The event marked a new chapter in the history of local governance in Batam. And, in fact, this historical momentum is a marker that has been passed on to the successors of local government in Batam who have taken turns to hold the highest seat of government in Batam since 1829 until today. In about 1829, Raja Nong Isa received a mandate from the Sultan of Riau and was also given orders by Muda Riau VI to govern the Nongsa area and its surrounding areas. The mandate letter given to Nong Isa was issued on 22 Jumadil Akhir 1245 Hijri or also coincided with December 18, 1829. This date was set for the anniversary of Batam City and the name of King Nong Isa himself was immortalized as the name of one of the sub-districts in Batam City, namely Nongsa Sub-district. Every December 18, which is currently the anniversary of Batam City, a pilgrimage is always held by the Batam city leadership, namely the Mayor of Batam and his entourage to the Nong Isa family cemetery complex located in the Nongsa Pantai area, Nongsa District, Batam City. Just like in previous years, in 2020 the Batam City Government also commemorated the anniversary of Batam City by making a pilgrimage to this location. Mayor of Batam Muhammad Rudi and Deputy Mayor of Batam Amsakar Achmad, making a pilgrimage to the grave of the zuriat Raja Nong Isa

The pilgrimage to the grave of King Nong Isa was held to commemorate the 191st Anniversary of Batam City in 2020. This pilgrimage was also accompanied by leaders of the Batam Customary Malay Institution (LAM). On this occasion, Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi asked that the pilgrimage procession which is annually carried out at the grave of King Nong Isa’s zuriat should be interpreted as a reflection, reminding how long the road has been traveled by the City of Batam. Where according to Rudi, King Nong Isa has provided the foundation for Batam. “So now we are together to continue development, bringing Batam to grow into a city that is independent, strong, healthy, and highly competitive,” he said. At the same place, Chairman of the Zuriat Raja Riau Lingga Association of Batam City Raja Gani expressed his gratitude to the Batam City Government which routinely provides assistance every year for the Nong Isa grave pilgrimage event.