1. Chapter 1: The Early History of Malaysia
Malaysian Studies
Chapter 1:
The Early History of Malaysia

2. Why Learn History? What Is to Be Learned From History?
Know who you are, your society and country.
Appreciate individuals who fought for our independence and sovereignty.
Not to repeat past mistakes.
To emulate past glory.
Help us learn and improve ourselves.
Guide us to identify things that we must treasure, emulate or reject.

3. What You Will Learn in This Lecture
Malaysia’s historical background:
Prehistoric Age
Old Malay Kingdoms
The Malay Kingdom of Malacca

4. Malaysia’s History Timeline
Independence and Onwards
Present
Prehistoric
35,000 BC BC
Early Hindu/Malay Kingdoms
100 BC AD
Colonial Malaysia
Islam and the Golden Age of Malacca

5. Prehistoric Malaysia People started to live here since the Stone Age.
The Stone Age is divided into several periods:
Paleolithic (Early Stone Age)
Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)
Neolithic (New Stone Age)
Metal Age

6. Prehistoric Malaysia Paleolithic 35000 years ago Lives in caves
Collects forest products and hunting
Uses simple stone tools

7. Prehistoric Malaysia

8. Prehistoric Malaysia Mesolithic 11000 years ago
Lives in caves and along rivers and lakes
Started farming
Uses refined stone tools
Able to make earthenware

9. Prehistoric Malaysia

10. Prehistoric Malaysia Neolithic 5000 years ago Use complex stone tools
Starts rearing livestock and creating objects.
Uses accessories like beads, and necklaces
Communicates with other tribes in other places

11. Prehistoric Malaysia

12. Prehistoric Malaysia Metal Age 2500 years ago More orderly lifestyle
Practiced social customs
Developed residential areas
Lives in wide open land near rivers
Population grew

13. Prehistoric Malaysia

14. Old Malay Kingdoms
5000 years ago, old kingdoms emerged in the Malay Archipelago
Centres of government, trade and spread of religion
Several different Malay kingdoms rise and fall during this period

15. Early Malay Kingdoms Timeline
Old Malay Kingdoms
Early Malay Kingdoms Timeline
Tun Sun,
Segenting Kra 3
Chih- Tu,
Tan- Tan 6
Funan 1
Mataram 8
CENTURIES
Old Kedah,
Gangga Negara 5
Langkasuka, Patani 2
Majapahit 13
Srivijaya 7

16. The Malay Kingdom of Malacca
Why Malacca?
Tome Pires states “Malacca is very famous and prosperous”
The most influential and powerful of all Malay Kingdoms in its glory days
Often referred as the starting point for Peninsular Malaysia’s Malay Sultanate

17. The Malay Kingdom of Malacca
Malacca’s Empire

18. The Malay Kingdom of Malacca
Founded by Parameswara in 1403 A.D.
Grew into a great Empire in the Malay Archipelago
Center for maritime trade and the spread of Islam
Vast territory – respected by most, envied by some

19. The Malay Kingdom of Malacca
Why was Malacca prosperous?
Strategic location for trade
Strong government & efficient administration
Protected by China & has diplomatic ties with Java, India and Siam
Loyal subjects
Malay language – lingua franca

20. The Malay Kingdom of Malacca
Governance / Administration
Sultan
Bendahara / Prime Minister
Temenggung / Chief of Defence
Laksamana / Admiral
Penghulu Bendahari / Finance Minister

21. The Malay Kingdom of Malacca
What makes a Sultan, a Sultan?
Born a king, always a king!
Special Rights
His word is the law
Said to have the power to curse his disloyal subjects
The only one whose house has a balcony
The only man who can use gold jewelry and weapons

22. The Malay Kingdom of Malacca
Language
Uses unique language, exclusive only to him and the people who talks to him
Colour
The only one who uses yellow an white in his clothing and furniture
His subjects can only wear / use the colours if he gives it to them
Special Items
Owns the Royal Kris, Royal Spear, Nobat (a set of nine musical instruments)

23. The Malay Kingdom of Malacca
Malacca Laws
Oral & written laws
Based on the Malay “adat” or way of life
Oral – word of the Sultan
Written:
Hukum Kanun Melaka
Undang-Undang Laut Melaka

24. Fall of the Malacca Empire
Malacca’s prosperity and status was both it’s curse and blessing
Why?
Tempted many countries to conquer it
Ego / Comfort Zone

25. Fall of the Malacca Empire
1511
Alfonso de Albuquerque and his 1200 men successfully conquered Malacca after severely struggling for one month

26. Fall of the Malacca Empire
Why did Malacca fell?
Internal Factors
Weak Sultan
Weak government
Conflicts among subjects
Bribery & Corruption
Lacking in modern war technology
The “waa’dat” factor

27. Fall of the Malacca Empire
Why did Malacca fell?
External Factors
Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope – easier for the Portuguese to invade Malacca
High taxes imposed on merchants

28. There are 2 forms of laws – oral & written
Conclusion
Malaysia’s early history is in 2 phases – Prehistoric and Malay Kingdoms
In Malay Kingdoms, Sultan holds the absolute power and is helped by his ministers and advisors
There are 2 forms of laws – oral & written
The strength of any country is tested during its peak and Malacca failed the test