The Rise Of Malacca : Melaka's captivating presence on the global arena, "Past versus Present".



The 15th century marked the birth of the Malacca Malay Sultanate, laying the cornerstone of both our nation's formation and its very essence. The tale of the magnificent civilization and the governance of this land finds its immortal presence within the enchanting chronicles of Sejarah Melayu or Sulalatus Salatin skillfully penned by the esteemed wordsmith Tun Seri Lanang.


It stands as the paramount treasure among Malay historical records. Majestic Malacca 
possesses a meticulously structured community, complete with regulations and a governing framework that governs its own affairs and political activities. Numerous Malay Sultanates in Malacca have indelibly imprinted their sociopolitical legacy within the very fabric of our nation's governance.

Located on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, the port of Malacca is next to a highly trafficked shipping lane. 

Malacca is a humble port city, hiding its former grandeur. Though tourism is flourishing, many tourists are unaware of Malacca's remarkable history as a leading trading hub in the early modern global economy, on par with Venice, Cairo, and Canton. Tourists focus more on the city's food than its history. Having centuries of trade with China and India,

Malaccan culinary culture fuses East Asian, Indian Ocean, Halal, and European traditions into a Southeast Asian celebration of global food, influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and English rule and its proximity to spice producers. 

Although delicious, these dishes remind us of the city's former glory. Luckily, city leaders have financially supported museums, restoration projects, and archeological sites to commemorate this Malaysian port's significance in global trade, diverse culture, and important position in Asian maritime history. Despite the port's immense significance.

Malacca's greatness was brief despite its prosperity in the fifteenth century. After 1403, a Malay leader quickly turned it into a global trade hub within ten years. However, in 1511, Portuguese invaders caused the prosperous trading center to decline until the Dutch took over in 1641. Despite becoming a backwater during colonial rule, a broader historical examination of Southeast Asia reveals

There has always been a renowned port city like Malacca. Due to geography, weather patterns, and maritime commerce, one city had to emerge as the regional center in the global economic order along the Straits of Malacca.

Based on these historical instances, the emergence of Malacca merely represented the latest stage of a long-standing trend that had persisted for centuries. has a somewhat obscure history of its establishment, often veiled in myth and folklore. Nonetheless, it is evident that Malacca predates the year 1400.

It used to be a diminutive coastal settlement primarily engaged in fishing activities. According to Malay, Portuguese, and Chinese accounts, it is believed that the Malay aristocrat Parameswara (1344-1414) embarked on a quest for a kingdom. Discovering a petite river which converged into a shore within the secure waters of a strait, located beneath a neighboring hill that facilitated the observation of incoming and outgoing ships, it can be inferred that Parameswara comprehended that this location possessed the potential to serve as an exemplary port capable of facilitating commerce and showcasing military might. 

Hence, 'He established a strategic partnership with the nomadic orang laut (referred to as "sea people," who comprised a transient group of pirates and traders) with the intention of overpowering his competitors, deterring additional pirate activities, and attracting merchants to his port. If he forcefully coerced certain vessels to approach his harbor, upon arrival they discovered trustworthy commercial procedures and ensured safety despite the hazardous surroundings. The equitable and consistent trade practices of Malacca swiftly acquired fame across the maritime regions of Asia. 

In the presence of the vigilant yet safeguarding orang laut, traders arriving in Malacca discovered that the city provided reliable and secure storage amenities. Secure seamless continuity

In terms of commerce, Parameswara devised a structured framework that incorporated well-defined regulations concerning the proportion of imported goods subject to taxation. In order to prevent instances of bribery and minor corruption, the local government implemented a structured system of officials comprising four harbormasters, each assigned to oversee merchants belonging to specific ethnic groups including Gujarati, Bengali, Malay, or East Asian. 

A high-ranking officer was present to mediate interethnic conflicts and guarantee smooth multicultural trade. As a platform for foreign trade of imports, the city exhibited limited production and consumption.

In just a short span of time, the accomplished system elevated Malacca as the preeminent hub of commerce in Southeast Asia. Due to this state of affluence, the burgeoning city experienced significant growth. Merchants, laborers, and slaves hailing from various regions within Southeast Asia, East Asia, and

Malacca swiftly became populated by South Asians. Cultural diversity has become the prevailing standard, as numerous languages can be heard resonating across the vibrant streets of this cosmopolitan metropolis.


Malacca's current progress in state delegation for global participation currently.


1 Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh spearheaded a state delegation in collaboration with the esteemed Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to partake in the prestigious Smart City Expo World Congress 2023 held from November 7th to 9th at Spain's renowned trade fair institution, Fira de Barcelona, situated in Barcelona. According to an official statement from the Melaka Chief Minister's Office, it has been highlighted that the Congress, which has been hosted in Barcelona since 2011, is globally recognized as the largest and most eminent exhibition focused on urban innovation and smart cities. The Office of the Chief Minister subsequently stated that Ab Rauf took advantage of the occasion to present the intelligent initiatives enacted by the government of Melaka, as indicated in the Smart Melaka Blueprint 2035. This coincides with the objectives of the Melakaku Maju Jaya Strategic Plan 2035 (PSMJ 2035) during the exposition.


2 The state government of Malacca has demonstrated its firm support and unwavering dedication towards global initiatives aimed at effectively addressing the issue of climate change. One of the primary objectives under the New Industrial Master Plan 2023 (NIMP 2030) is the Mission to Achieve Net Zero, accompanied by the Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which serves as a supplementary element to the National Energy Policy. These initiatives reflect Malaysia's ambitious aim to attain carbon neutrality by the year 2050. The scene occurred when Datuk Rais Yasin, Melaka State Senior Exco for Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change, and Disaster Management, attended the Opening Ceremony of the Malaysian Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai, which takes place from 30 November to 12 December 2023.


Allex Seah, the Malacca State Exco for Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives, and Consumer Affairs, met with the Chinese delegation. The Vice Governor of Liaoning Province, China, was invited by former EXCO Datuk Wira Gan Tian Loo. Prior to that, Allex, accompanied by several executive committee members and elected officials, embarked on a visit to the Geely automobile manufacturing facility situated in China. It has been comprehended that the factory currently engages in the production of 200 cars per day in accordance with specific orders. Through a fruitful alliance with Geely, PROTON has effectively manufactured and commercialized a range of sports utility vehicle (SUV) models, namely the X70, X50, and X90.


Wise as Hang Tuah

Courageous as Hang Jebat



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