Melaka Bandaraya Bersejarah
City of the Ancients
The
pomp, grandeur and wealth of Malacca was the beginning of the rest of the world’s
interest in Malaysia. This interest has persisted to this very day, especially
since Malaysia occupies a prominent position on the world’s stage. The following
is a fairly comprehensive examination of the State of Malacca. ( Picture
shows an aerial view of Malacca town )
History
According to the annals of history, Malacca was founded by a fugitive Hindu prince, Parameswara, from Palembang in Sumatra. While on the run from his pursuers, Parameswara and his small entourage decided to take a rest at the mouth of the Muar River. While resting in the shade of a tree, he saw his dog being attacked by a mouse-deer. The miniature deer gave the dog such a kick with its hoofs that the dog tumbled into the water. He decided that he should stop running and face his enemies - like the mouse-deer; with strength and courage. Parameswara thought it would be a good place to build a city, and named it Malacca, because the tree under which he was resting was a Malacca Tree.
Malacca
under Parameswara soon became a favoured port for resupplying trading ships
plying the Straits of Malacca. Parameswara embraced Islam and came to be known
as Megat Iskandar Shah. Thus began the first Muslim Sultanate of Malaysia.In
1509, a Portuguese fleet under the command of De Sequeira landed at Malacca.
After an initial friendly reception, the Malaccans attacked the Portuguese and
took a number of prisoners. This led to an attack on Malacca in 1511 by Alfonso
De Albuquerque. Not only for the Portuguese, but for the whole western world,
Malacca became the symbol of oriental opulence, pomp and riches. It was an opulence
and fame not found in its kings, palaces and temples, but rather in its varied
and valuable commodities, and its trades and merchandise. Malacca was the prized
link between the east and west.
The conquest of Malacca was a victory not only for the Portuguese, but also for the western world. It opened the flood gates for western involvement in the region. The Orang Putih or White People had not come for political conquest but for economic gain. They were lured by the rich smell of spices. Malacca in the Sixteenth Century was not only the principal port of the region, it was considered the principal seaport of the whole world. In this cosmopolitan city, traders from 61 countries, ports and islands were counted and, very often, some 84 languages were heard spoken. Malacca fell to the Dutch in 1641. In a letter sent to Batavia .." With joy I am able to inform your lordships that God Almighty, on January 14 anno 1641, has given the city of Malacca into our hands." It went on to say that the investiture had only cost 30 dead and 60 wounded. The victorious Dutch spread their sovereignty over the state and destroyed much of the Portuguese heritage in Malacca. In 1795, French revolutionary armies invaded Holland. William V of Orange fled to Kew, England. From here he wrote the famous Kew Letters, ordering the administrators of the Dutch colonies to hand over the territories under their control to the British. This was to keep them from falling into the hands of the French. With the defeat of the French, Malacca was returned to the Dutch on 21st September 1818. With the signing of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty in 1824, boundary lines were drawn through the Straits of Malacca. The Dutch taking Sumatra, whilst the British took control of the Malay Peninsula. Malacca soon became a part of the Straits Settlements and remained under British rule until 1957, when Malaya achieved its Independence. ( Picture above shows the full replica of Malacca Sultanate Palace )
Geography
Malacca
covers an area of 1650 sq. km., or 1.3% of the total land area of Malaysia.
It is a small state, and does not have an extensive coastline. Malacca has,
as its neighbours, the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johore. The Main Range,
which runs from the Thai border, ends at Negeri Sembilan. As such, Malacca has
only small hills to liven its’ topography. The most famous of these hills is
Bukit China. The Malacca River played a prominent role in the history of Malacca,
providing easy access inland from the Straits of Malacca. It is the only river
that runs through this small state.
As with the rest of Malaysia, Malacca’s climate is largely determined by the North-east and South-west Monsoons. These blow alternately during the course of the year. Their existence in the days of sailing ships made Malacca the natural meeting and exchanging point for traders from the East and the West. The North-east Monsoon blows from November to March, and the South-west Monsoon from May to September. Inter-monsoon periods can be wet. These are usually marked by afternoon thunderstorms. The temperature is constant throughout the year averaging 26 degrees Celsius and humidity is usually at a high of 80%. Land and sea breezes affect the temperatures on the coast.
Although Malacca has a small coastline, its beaches are well known and its resorts are of international repute. Beaches such as Tanjung Bidara and Pantai Tanjung Kling command magnificent views of the coastline. Prominent islands off Malacca’s coast include Pulau Besar ( Big Island) and Pulau Upeh. ( Picture shows the Bukit China )