MALAYSIAN STUDIES

CHAPTER 1
HISTORY AND POLITICS
- OLD MALAY KINGDOM

PREPARED BY:
NORZAREEN MASHRAL

MPU DEPARTMENT
PRE-UNIVERSITY STUDIES
CHAPTER 1: Old Malay Kingdom TOPIC

Subtopics:

Pre-historic Age

Old Malay Kingdoms

The Malacca Sultanate

Did you know?

• The earliest anatomically modern humans skeleton in

Peninsular Malaysia, Perak Man, dates back 11,000
years and Perak Woman dating back 8,000 years,
were both discovered in Lenggong, Perak.

• The site has an undisturbed stone tool production

area, created using equipment such as anvils and
hammer stones. The Tambun Cave paintings are also
situated in Perak.

• From East Malaysia, Sarawak's Niah Caves, there is

evidence of the oldest human remains in Malaysia,
dating back 40,000 years.
Prehistoric Malaysia

35,000+ years ago – Paleolithic (Early Stone Age)

Niah Caves in Sarawak is an important prehistoric site where human
remains dating to ca. 40,000 years ago have been found. Archeologists
have claimed a much earlier date for stone tools found in the Mansuli
valley, near Lahad Datu in Sabah, but precise dating analysis has not yet
been published. Activity: Collecting forest products and hunting. Uses
simple stone tools.

11000 years ago- Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)

Lives in caves and along rivers and lakes. Started farming, and uses
refined stone tools. Able to make earthenware, or pottery-clays. Human
remains from Mesolithic era was found in Gua Chawan in Kelantan, while
other archaeological data were found in Cha Cave in Kelantan, Kecil Cave
in Pahang, and Niah Cave in Sarawak.
Prehistoric Malaysia

10,000–5,000 years ago- Neolithic (New Stone Age)

Archaeological finds from the Lenggong valley in Perak show that people
were making stone tools and using accessories like beads, and necklaces.
The archaeological data from this period come from cave and rock shelter
sites, and are associated with Hoabinhian hunter-gatherers. It is believed
that Neolithic farmers made their entrance in this region between 3–
4000 years ago. Activity: Starts rearing livestock and creating objects.
Communicates with other tribes in other places.

2,500 years ago – Bronze Age

More orderly lifestyle, practiced social customs and developed residential
areas. More people arrived and population grew, including new tribes
and seafarers. The Malay Peninsula became the crossroads in maritime
trades of the ancient age. Seafarers who came to Malaysia's shores
included Indians, Javanese and Chinese among others. Ptolemy named
the Malay Peninsula the Golden Chersonese.
 The Golden Chersonese
Meaning the Golden Peninsula, was the
name used for the Malay Peninsula by
Greek and Roman geographers in classical
antiquity, most famously in Claudius
Ptolemy's 2nd-century Geography.

The earliest references to a fabulous land of

gold that could be interpreted as places in
South East Asia may be found in Indian
literature. In Ramayana, there are mentions
of Suvarnabhumi (Land of Gold) and
Suvarnadvipa (the Golden Island or
Peninsula).
Old Malay Kingdoms

• 5000 years ago, old kingdoms

emerged in the Malay

Archipelago.

• Various centre of government,

trade and spread of religion.

• Several different Malay kingdoms

rise and fall during this period.

 Malay Archipelago

The Malay Archipelago (Malay: Kepulauan

Melayu, Tagalog: Kapuluang Malay, Javanese:
Nusantara Melayu) is the archipelago
between mainland Indochina and Australia.
It has also been called the Malay world,
Nusantara, East Indies, Indo-Australian
Archipelago, Spices Archipelago and other
names over time.

Situated between the Indian and Pacific

Oceans, the archipelago of over 25,000
islands and islets is the largest archipelago
by area and fourth by number of islands in
the world. It includes Brunei, East Malaysia,
Funan, 1st Century: One of the oldest kingdom, located in Kampuchea
Langkasuka, Patani, 2nd Century: Trade centre, influence by Hinduism &
Buddhism
Old Kedah, 5th Century: Started monarchy system, strategic location, important
entrepot, influence by Hinduism & Buddhism
Gangga Negara, 5th Century: Port & trade centre
Chih-tu, Tan-Tan, 6th Century: Influence by Buddhism, strong relationship with
China
Srivijaya, 7th Century: Well-known trade centre, strong relationship with China
& India, centre of Buddhism & Sanskrit language, own several vassal States
Majapahit, 13th Century: Owned several vassal states, trade centre, strong
relationship with China, India & the Middle East. Is the strongest kingdom in 13
century..but..Its GOLDEN ERA ends after the existence of the Malay Kingdom of Malacca.
 TOPIC

1. Malacca rose from a humble fishing village to become a major

center of the spice trade forming a vital link between the East and
the West. Melaka (Malacca) is rich with history and resources.

2. In fact, the earliest written records of the country made reference

to the Malacca Peninsula, instead of the Malay Peninsula or
Malaya.

3. The location was strategic for trading and people were

so accommodating.

4. The administration flourished and they easily influenced, embraced

and apply the Islamic Religion.
 TOPIC

The location was strategic for trading and people were appreciably polite.

[Melaka Map]
The Arrival of Parameswara

TOPIC

Why? Palembang Why? Temasi Why? Muar Why? Bertam

k
1 TOPIC

•Melaka was founded in 1400 by

PARAMESWARA, a prince who
descended from Sailendra.

•Tom Pires in his book “Suma Oriental”,

has suggested that Parameswara fled
Palembang which was attacked by
Majapahits when Palembang declared
its independence from the declining
Majapahit.
 2 TOPIC

In Singapore, Parameswara had

killed Temagi, the representative of

the Kingdom of Ayuthia, Siam.

Five years later, Parameswara was

forced to flee from Singapore when

Ayuthia attacked him to avenge the

killing of its representative

3 TOPIC

In Muar, Parameswara attempted to build

a base, but abandoned the project

because the place was not suitable.

There is an opinion stated that Muar had

a lot of monitor lizards that had a

tendency to destroy the new empire.

Besides, he could not see any activities

that ensured his new territory would be

flourished.
 4 TOPIC

Finally he found a new territory

which was suitable to build a
settlement.

Bertam was actually named after a

river where Parameswara stopped to
take a rest before continuing his
journey.

The surrounding were calm, he

could see people doing barter
trading - laymen and merchants.
Theories Regarding Malacca’s Name
TOPIC

Arabic Word
‘Malakat’ or
Hindu Sanscript
Hunting Trip ‘Mulakat’ MELAKA
‘Amalaka’
“Market”
Theories Regarding Malacca’s Name

TOPIC

Hunting Trip

During the hunting trip, an unusual thing

happened when a mouse-deer kicked
Parameswara’s hunting dog.

Seeing the bravery of the mouse-deer,

he decided to stay and establish his
base there.

He named the place “Melaka” after the

name of the tree he was leaning against.
The Golden TOPIC

Age of Social

Malacca

Factors
contributing to
Malacca’s
Development
Geographical
Political
 Political TOPIC

China was a major power during

the 15th Century and expanding
its political power and influence
in South China Sea regions.

China used to send its admiral

Yin Ching and Cheng Ho to
Melaka to reinforce China’s
recognition of Melaka. Melaka
accepted their friendship.

Threats from Siam and

Majapahit were kept at bay.
 Political TOPIC

In 1414, with the coming of

Muslim traders / missionaries
from Arab, Parameswara wisely
embraced Islam and changed
his name to Sultan Mahkota
Iskandar Syah. Since then, the
term Raja also changed to
Sultan.

His marriage to a princess from

Pasai strengthened his
relationship with Pasai.
 Social
TOPIC

 Parameswara’s success as a ruler of Malacca is

contributed by his charisma with his people.
 He had inherited the attributes of sovereignty
from the rulers of the Malay-Palembang or Sri
Vijaya empire. Besides this, other factors
included the presence of the Malay nobility who
had been with him since he was ruler of
Palembang, and the support of the Orang Laut
(Orang Selat) throughout his reign in
Palembang and Singapore until the early period
of his settlement in Malacca.
 All these factors formed the basis that
contributed towards the creation of a state with
an orderly administrative and political system.
Geographical
TOPIC

• The kingdom conveniently controlled

the global trade vital point; the narrow
straits that today bears its name, Strait
of Malacca.

• The port city had become the centre of

regional trade; it attracted most of the
traders from in the archipelago; traders
from Sumatra, port of Sunda, Java and
Bugis are reported to frequent the port.
It was also due to geographic location
of Malacca that gave the port city
strategic advantage.
Geographical
TOPIC

• The monsoon wind that blow to northwest

during dry season conveniently brought trade
vessels sailing from Southern Sumatra, Java,
Borneo, Mollucas and eastern parts of the
archipelago to Malacca; in wet season
(October to March) the wind blow from
mainland Asia to southeast, conveniently
brought trade vessels sailing from ports in
Northern Sumatra, India, Siam, Cambodia,
Vietnam and China to converge in Malacca.

• The Malaccan Empire had turned from a

maritime empire to an entrepot empire.
** An entrepot is a trading post where merchandise can be imported and exported without paying import
duties.
The Political and Administration System
TOPIC

The
• Leader of the country
Sultan • Head of religion
of Malacca • Leader of laws

• The Advisor of The King

• Principal Minister
Bendahara • Controlled the Military
• The Judge, Royal Customs and
Traditions

Penghulu
Bendahari Temenggung Laksamana

• Act as the minister of

• The Treasurer cum • The Police (enforcement)
Army. Police
Secretary to the King • Admiral
• Head of Malay Custom
 TOPIC

Islam spread in the Malay Archipelago in 15th Century. There are few factors that
contributed to the emergence of Islam in this region:

Muslim Traders

•A lot of muslim traders from China (Ming

Dinasty), Arabs and India came to Malacca

during this century.
•The Arabs took the opportunity to spread this

religion by accepting the invitation from Sultan

into his palace.
•Parameswara accepted the friendship with

China in order to strengthen economic and

diplomatic power.
 TOPIC

Islam spread in the Malay Archipelago in 15th Century. There are few factors that
contributed to the emergence of Islam in this region:

Nature of Islam:
fair, tolerance, and
rational

•Islam is a fair and tolerant religion that

emphasizes on good relations with Allah,

Human Beings and the Environment.
•This has been shown by Arab traders and

as a symbol of the victory of Islam after the

defeat of the Europeans in Battle Of
Crusaders in 11th century.
 TOPIC

Islam spread in the Malay Archipelago in 15th Century. There are few factors that
contributed to the emergence of Islam in this region:

Spreading of Islam
by Syeikh Abdul
Aziz from Mecca

•The person who was responsible was

Syed Syeikh Abdul Aziz.

•He taught Sultan and his ministers about

Islam and Al-Quran in the Palace.

•Other Muslim traders spread the teaching

to the Malays.
The Political and Administration System
TOPIC

Parameswara
(Died in
1414)

Muhammad
Iskandar Sri Maharaja
Syah (Died in (Died
1424) in1444)

Muzaffar Raja
Mansur Syah Raja Ahmad
Syah Muhammad
(First
(Died in 1477) (2nd
(Died in1456) Sultan of
Sultan of
Pahang)
Pahang)

Alauddin Mahmud
Riayat Syah Syah Ahmad Syah
(Died in (Died in
1488) 1528)
The Political and Administration System
TOPIC

• The Malacca Law was considered the earliest Malay Law. The law was
taken as a base for other law sources such as in Pahang, 99 Perak,
Johor and Kedah’s law.
• The Malacca Law was compiled during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar
Syah 1612.
• It was used as reference especially in international relation,
administration and social life including religious activities.
• It was divided into two:

Malacca Code of Malacca Law of the

LAW
Law Sea
S
The Fall Of Melaka Sultanate
TOPIC

Slide 40 of 110
The Fall Of Melaka Sultanate

INTERNAL

Two Factors that

contributed to the
dispute and the
emergence of European
Colonization

EXTERNAL
1.1 Malacca Sultanate
TOPIC
It became more critical when
the Portuguese came twice After the demise of
and Alfonso D’Albuquerque Bendahara Tun Perak, the
attacked Malacca before it Melacca Government did
fell to the hand of not have a good successor.
Portuguese in 1511. Bendahara Tun Mutahir
had a weak administrative
system and it led to the
misuse of power.
The increase in
taxes led to traders
changing their view
about Malacca and
look for another
ports to do
business
transaction. This
created separation
among people.
Sultan Mahmud also was a
weak leader and he did not care
about the administration.
Bribery and slander spread. This was reflected in
the murder of Bendahara Tun Mutahir and Tun
Ali instructed by Sultan Mahmud because of
slander by Kitu and Raja Mandaliar, both from
India.
 TOPIC

-The Cape of Good Hope was founded by Bartholomeu Dias (~Bartholomew Diaz ) in
1488 hastened the
journey of European to Malacca.
- At the same time Malacca was having some problems that give the opportunity to
Portuguese to extend their power.
 TOPIC

First rounding of the cape in 1488 by Portuguese

explorer Bartholomeu Dias was a milestone in the
attempts by the Portuguese to establish direct
trade relations with the Far East – Tanah Melayu
 TOPIC

PORTUGUESE (1511 – 1641)

DUTCH (1641-1824) BRITISH (1824-1941)