1.3   The Politic, Economic and Social System

Presentation

a) Political System

The governance system was heavily influenced by beliefs, customs and religion. The system was hierarchical in nature. The system created a gap among rulers, aristocrats and the public people (commoners). The governance system is illustrated as follow:

1.3   The Politic, Economic and Social System

The system above is called 'monarchy system'. Do you know what the system is all about? It is a system where a country is ruled by a monarch (king/sultan). The king became the symbol of the sovereignty of the country. In the system, aristocrats possessed the political, economic and social powers. The officials acted as the advisors to the kings and majority of them worked in palace. They were elected by the king and were given power to collect taxes and to have their own armies and servants. The headman became the intermediary between the king and the commoners. They were the leaders at their villages. The commoners were the common people and did not have opportunity to get involved in the administration of the country.

b) Economic System

The first characteristic of the economic system is self-sustaining. The economic activities were very traditional in nature in which it aimed to sustain the need of one's family. The family needs became the focus of the economy. However, trade activities were already in place as a tool for people to get their essential needs that cannot be produced. The trade had taken place with China, India and West Asia (Arab countries) at that time.

Beside the above characteristic, there was a separation between the ruling class (the king, aristocrats and officials) and the common people. The ruling class controlled the economy. They collected taxes from traders and the people. The people were mainly involved in farming as farmers and they rented lands from the aristocrats.

c) Social System

The traditional Malay society had encountered series of external cultures like Hinduism, Islam and the West. The most influential culture is Islam that made the Malay culture steadily matured and more organized. Family ties were...

1.3   The Politic, Economic and Social System

... strongly emphasized and instituted in the society. Noble values were taught in family as the family became the agent of socialization. Besides, there were laws created as to govern behaviour in society land and naval laws. The examples are as below:

1. Malacca Code of Law (Undang-Undang Qanun Malacca)
2. Malacca Law of the Sea (Undang-Undang Laut Melaka)
3. Pahang Laws. Perak Laws, Kedah Laws