[citation needed] In 1529, Alauddin Riayat founded his first capital in Hujung Tanah, known as Pekan Tua, 11 km upriver from Kota Tinggi, following the death of his father.
Encouraged by this initial success, the Malays left their fort and launched a counter-attack against the Portuguese.
In 1539, Aru, Johor's vassal state on the east coast of Sumatra, was attacked by a fleet of 160 ships with 12,000 soldiers composed of Acehnese, Malaccan Malays, Malabaris, Gujaratis, and Turks.
Alauddin Riayat gathered a fleet with aid from his allies, Perak and Siak, and attacked Aru in 1540.
The fort and town was leveled and Alauddin Riayat was captured and brought back to Aceh.