1.1  The Malay Malacca Kingdom

Presentation

Do you know still remember who the founder of Malacca is? Malacca used to be a great empire but then experienced its downfall. Do you know the factors that contributed to its glory and its downfall? Would you believe that those factors are still relevant today?

The kingdom of Malacca was founded by Parameswara, a prince of Palembang, in the 15th century. He developed Malacca to be a very supreme and outstanding kingdom and made Malacca as the world trade center, center for spreading the teaching of Islam and knowledge. His glorious achievement was continued by his successors after him. Malacca achieved its golden age and became a great kingdom as well as very strong empire in the Malay Archipelago during the reign of Sultan Mansur Syah (1456-1477). Among the factors that contributed to its supreme and outstanding during the time are:

a) Wise leadership

Parameswara converted to Islam as to attract traders from surrounding Muslim states such Pasai

Established political ties with the supreme power of the world i.e China to protect Malacca from its enemies

b) Geographical factors

The sea was deep, which was good for big ships

Fresh waters supplies from nearby river

1.1  The Malay Malacca Kingdom

Located in the middle of international trading route between the east and the west

Two monsoon winds to all directions

c) Economic factors

Center of the world trade (almost all merchandises & goods could be found there)

Economic ties with China

d) Political and good administration

diplomatic tie with the supreme power of the world i.e China

Creation of Administrative Posts (Sultan, Bendahara, Penghulu Bendahari, Temenggung, Syah Bandar,

Laksamana)

Laws that governed its citizens i.e Hukum Kanun Melaka & Undang-Undang Laut Melaka

1.1  The Malay Malacca Kingdom

After experiencing its golden age, Malacca finally reached at its downfall. Do you know the factors contributed to its downfall? The factors are categorized into internal (the main factors) and external factors.

Internal factors

a)  Lack of wise and able leaders

Started with Sultan Alaudin Riayat Syah (soft mannered & disliked violence and war)

Officials were not capable and wise

Example: Bendahara Tun Perak was a weak and not capable to administer the government affairs Bendahara Tun Perpatih (after Tun Perak) was a spendrift Bendahara Tun Mutahir who replaced Tun Perpatih focused more on personal gains

b) Oppressive Administration

Some officials oppressed and did injustice to the citizens and foreign traders

Corruption in administration and bribery to gain personal wealth

Excessive taxation system on the citizens and traders

1.1  The Malay Malacca Kingdom

c) People were divided and disunited

Fraction between aristocrats and the people

Conflict between Indian Muslims and Malays

d) Lack of Military Might and Weak Defences

Lack of brave and strong warriors

No progress in weaponry and war strategy (still using keris and swords)

External Factors

a)  The discovery of the Cape of Good Hope (Tanjung Pengharapan), a naval passage in Southern Africa by
      Bartholomew Diaz in 1488

It made easier to sail from the West to the East

Western powers were eager to locate sites in trading in the East

Portuguese attacked Malacca in 1511, thus brought to its downfall

b) Emergence of other trade centers

Due to the oppressive administration

Traders looked for other port such as Aceh, Bantan and Brunei.