Introduction to MPW2133 Malaysian Studies

This course will go down memory lane with its earliest history of the development, birth and
growth of the Federation of Malaysia. It also includes the discussion on the ruling structure and
the system of our government. This is to make an analysis on the main issues pertaining to the
development and social issues of the country that also involve international participation. This
course will end with the discussion of important happenings as well as the future challenges.

Objectives
The course aims at:
Developing citizens who are loyal to the country, love the nation, are vision minded, proud
to be Malaysian, able to face challenges in life and introduce Malaysia in the international
arena.
Giving a clear understanding on the history of the nation and its people together with
community development in respect of culture, economy and politics.
Inculcating the sense of awareness for getting involved in the struggle to defend the
sovereignty and the development of this nation.
Acknowledging and appreciating the contributions and the struggle of those great figures
that have struggled for the independence and sovereignty of Malaysia.
Appreciating nations identity and be proud of being a Malaysian.
Understanding and appreciating the Malaysias roles and contributions at the
international level.

Synopsis
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The course is designed to give a clear understanding of historical events in Malaysia and
discussed the important issues of the country in term of economy, education, government
administration system, politics, socio culture and international affairs.
At the beginning of the syllabus, the course is stressed more on historical events, which
is going to take students on a nostalgic journey through the history of this country. It
would be interesting to see how we learn and have not learnt lessons from history to help
us face the challenges of the future.
The students also learn about the structure of the Malaysian government, which comprise
of the Yang Di-pertuan Agong, and the legislative, executive and judicial authority.
Education and economy in Malaysia also among the interesting chapters, which are the
students, will expose to the scenarios of education and economy from the day before
independence until present day.
Many programs also introduced by the government to maintain the social and political
stability, thus may help students to get a clear picture of government policies.

LESSON 1
TRADITIONAL MALAY KINGDOM
1.0 Introduction
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Do you know what does traditional Malay refer to? Traditional Malay kingdoms refers to the
kingdoms that existed before the colonialism era in which socio-political and socio-economic
activities were on their terms and free from Western influences. From 13th to 16th centuries,
these kingdoms were famous and well-known in the Malay Archipelago. Among them were the
kingdom of Malacca, Johor, Perak, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and Kelantan.
Do you aware that some aspects of our current socio-economic and socio-political are inherited
from the earlier generations? We should appreciate the roles and contributions of the earlier
kingdoms towards our nations development today. Thus, this topic will bring you to look back the
history of the emergence of the famous Malay kingdom or Malay Sultanate in the Malay world.
The focus of the topic is on the factors that contributed to the success of the kingdoms as well as
the factors of their downfalls. The topic will revisit the political, economical and the social
structures of the traditional Malay societies.
2.0 Learning Outcomes
By the end of the topics, you should be able to:
1. Identify the great Traditional Malay Kingdoms
2. Discuss the factors of their glory and downfall as well relate the relevancy of those factors
to the todays situation
3. Elaborate the ruling system of the kingdoms
4. Compare the governance and socio-economic of the kingdoms with the current system
3.0 List of Topics
3.1 The Malay Malacca Kingdom
3.2 Other Malay Kingdoms
3.3 The Politic, Economic and Social System
3.4 Achievements in Technology
4.0 Terminologies
4.1 Malay Archipelago
The chain Malay islands South East Asia region
4.2 Golden Age
The era of glory and great achievement

4.3 Excessive taxation

High rate of taxes imposed on people that rate beyond the peoples capability to pay
4.4 Hierarchical Ruling System
A ruling system with hierarchy of position form the highest to the lowest
4.5 Self-sustaining
To sustain the need of ones own self
4.6 Socialization
A process of educating people on how to socialize with society members
5.0 Topics
5.1 The Malay Malacca Kingdom
5.1.1 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
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

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:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

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
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.

5.1.2 Activities
a) Have you ever visited any website on the Kingdom of Malacca? If you dont, take
your time to serf this website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malacca_Sultanate

b) A point to ponder: Can you relate the significance of the glory and the downfalls
factors to our modern government? Do you agree that those factors will affect the
hegemony of our country?

5.2 Other Malay Kingdoms

5.2.1 Presentation
Besides Malacca, there were several other significant Malay kingdoms that existed at the
same period with Malacca and in the centuries that followed. Although they were not as great
as Malacca kingdom, we should not forget their contributions towards the development of the
region. Among the kingdoms were Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu,
Kelantan, Johore and Selangor.
Those kingdoms practised a hierarchical ruling system, the same system practiced by
Malacca kingdom. Sultans (rulers) were sovereign and possessed the highest position with
absolute administrative power. They were assisted by some officials such as Bendahara
(Prime Minister), Penghulu Bendahari (Minister of Finance), Temenggung (Chief Police
Officer), Syahbandar (Port Administrator) and Laksamana (Chief Navy). The system adopted
by Perak, Pahang and Kedah. Negri Sembilan, however, named the ruler with Yam Dipertuan
Negri. After the Malaccas downfall, Johore emerged as the most important kingdom in the
region.
5.2.2 Activities
Why dont you visit the following website to get more information about those kingdoms?
http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/early.htm
5.3 The Politic, Economic and Social System

5.3.1 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:
Sultan (King)

Aristocrats (Royal family)

Officials

Headman

Commoners

Slaves
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 ones
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 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:
a) Malacca Code of Law (Undang-Undang Qanun Malacca)
b) Malacca Law of the Sea (Undang-Undang Laut Melaka)
c) Pahang Laws. Perak Laws, Kedah Laws
5.3.2 Activities
a) Do you want to get some more information about those kingdoms? Allocate your time
to visit this website: http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/early.htm
b) Have you ever watched traditional Malay movies? If you have time, it is good if you can
watch the following movies. Those movies will give you some ideas about the sociopolitic and economic of the Malacca kingdom:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Hang Tuah
Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang
Tun Fatimah

5.4 Achievement in Technology

5.4.1 Presentation
Among the technological achievement are:
a) Malay architecture - Malay house of Kelantan, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and
others with different features according to place
b) Weaponry the making of keris
c) Making of transportation boats, dinghies, sailboats
d) Medicine herbal medicine
5.4.2 Activities
Do you want to see some examples of the technological achievements? Please visit the
following websites:
http://www.google.com.my/images?hl=en&q=keris%2Bpicture&um=1&ie=UTF8&source=univ&ei=H_jJS9OyHsKyrAfXp_jdBQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&res
num=1&ved=0CA8QsAQwAA

http://www.google.com.my/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch
%3A1&sa=1&q=traditional+malay+house
%2Bpicture&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&start=0
http://www.google.com.my/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch
%3A1&sa=1&q=traditional+malay+dinghies&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&start=0
6.0 Lesson Summary
Malacca Sultanate occupies a special position in Malaysian history, because it is considered
to be the origin and the basis of the present sultanate of Malaysia (excepting that of Negeri
Sembilan). Malacca was the crucible where Malay-ness got defined: speaking the Malay
language, observing Malay adat, and worshipping God according to Islam. Thats why we
have found some similarities in socio-politic and socio-economic of the kingdoms. As a result,
Malacca had a profound effect on Malayan government and culture, then and now. However,
do not ignore the factors of its downfall. Those factors are relevant in whatever time and
place. Disunity, corruption, oppression, unwise and weak leaders as well as weak of defense
must be avoided or otherwise, wait for our downfall one day.

7.0 Self Assessment

7.1 Which of the following is not one of the Malay kingdoms?
A. Palembang
B. Kedah
C. Johor
D. Malacca
Answer: Palembang
7.2 The old Malay kingdom that gave impact on our country until today is _________
A. Johor
B. Malacca
C. Pahang
D. Perak
Answer: Malacca
7.3 The Malacca kingdom became very supreme and great kingdom due to some factors.
Which of the following is not the factor?
A. Wise leadership
B. Strategic location
C. Economic ties with the super power of the world
D. Diplomatic ties with the West
Answer: D
7.4 Which of the following is not an internal factor of the downfall of Malacca?
A. Lack of wise leaders
B. Oppressive administration
C. Attack by west country
D. Disunity among the people

Answer: C
7.5 Below are among the external factors that contributed to the downfall of Malacca except
________
A. The discovery of the Cape of Golden Hope
B. Attack of the Portuguese
C. Attack of Majapahit
D. Emergence of other trade centers
Answer: C
7.6 Which of the following are true about the ruling system of the Malacca and the current ruling
system of Malaysia?
I
II
III
IV
A.
B.
C.
D.

Both systems practice the monarchy system in which the king is the highest authority
Aristocrats are still in power in the current ruling system of Malaysia
In both systems, the king is assisted by some officials
Bendahara is equivalent to the post of Prime Minister
I and II only
II and III only
I, III and IV only
II, III and IV only