Malay Annals
Malay world.[7] In 2001, the Malay Annals was listed on
The frontispiece of a Jawi edition of the Malay Annals
The Malay Annals (Malay: Sejarah Melayu, Jawi:
), originally titled Sulalatus Salatin (Genealogy
of Kings),[1] is a literary work that gives a romanticised
history of the origin, evolution and demise of the great
Malay maritime empire, the Malacca Sultanate.[2] The
work which was composed sometime between 15th and
16th centuries, is considered one of the nest literary and
historical works in the Malay language.[3]
The original text has undergone numerous changes, with
the oldest known version dated May 1612, through the
rewriting eort commissioned by the then regent of
Johor, Yang di-Pertuan Di Hilir Raja Abdullah.[4][5] It
was originally written in the Classical Malay on tradi-
tional paper in old Jawi script, but today exists in 32
dierent manuscripts, including those in Rumi script.[6]
Notwithstanding some of its mystical contents, historians
have looked at the text as a primary source of information
on past events veriable by other historical sources, in the
UNESCOs Memory of the World Programme Interna-
tional Register.[8]
1 Compilation history
The number of manuscripts of the Malay Annals and its
related texts is fairly large. The manuscripts are found
scattered over libraries in various countries: in Indone-
sia (Jakarta, Museum Pusat), in the United Kingdom
(mainly in London), in the Netherlands (Leiden)[9] and
in Malaysia (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka).[10] Not all of
these manuscripts have the same value; some are frag-
mentary or otherwise incomplete; others are just copies
of existing manuscripts, and some are even copies of the
printed text.[11] A version of the Annals dated 1612, ac-
quired by Sir Stamford Raes and coded Raes MS
no.18 or Raes Manuscript 18, is considered the oldest
and most faithful to the original.[12]
There is a possibility that Raes MS no.18 version has de-
veloped from a genealogical king-list complete with the
periods of reigns and dates. This king-list subsequently
enlarged by various stories and historically relevant ma-
terial which was inserted into it in suitable places, but at
the same time it lost its dates.[13] Unknown Malay texts
titled Soelalet Essalatina or Sulalatu'l-Salatina, that re-
ferred by Petrus Van der Vorm and Franois Valentijn
in their works Collectanea Malaica Vocabularia (Collec-
tion of Malay Vocabulary) (1677) and Oud En New Oost
Indien (A short history of East Indies) (1726) respec-
tively, could have existed in the form of a king-list.[14]
However, the introduction of Raes MS no.18 describes
that the manuscript originates from another manuscript
known as Hikayat Melayu, which may trace its origin
to the time of Melaka Sultanate (14001511).[15][16][17]
The manuscript was brought together when the last ruler,
Mahmud Shah eeing the Portuguese invasion in 1511
to Kampar. In 1536, during the Portuguese attack on
Johor Lama, where the exiled sultan established his base,
the manuscript was seized by the Portuguese soldiers and
brought to Goa, Portuguese India.[18] Decades later, in
the early 17th century, the manuscript was returned to Jo-
hor from Goa by a nobleman[19] identied as Orang Kaya
Sogoh. However, historian Abdul Samad Ahmad pro-
vides an alternative view, suggesting that the manuscript
was returned from Gowa, Sulawesi instead of Goa, India.
His argument is based on the fact that during Melakas
era as an important regional entreport, it had estab-
1
2 2 CONTENTS
lished a strong trading and diplomatic ties with regional
kingdoms, including Gowa, and some copies of Hikayat
Melayu could have been spread to Sulawesi long before
the arrival of Portuguese.[20] Another view, from William
Linehan, tried to argue that Goa ought to read guha or
gua, and that the reference was to Gua, a place located
north of Kuala Lipis in Pahang, where a copy of the An-
nals had been preserved and later brought to Johor and
edited there in 1612.[21]
On Sunday, 12th Rabi' al-awwal 1021 AH (corresponds
to 13 May 1612 CE), during the reign of Alauddin Ri-
ayat Shah III in Pekan Tua, the regent of Johor, Yang
di-Pertuan Di Hilir Raja Abdullah also known as Raja
Bongsu, had commissioned the rewriting and compila-
tion work of the manuscript to the Bendahara Tun Sri
Lanang.[22][23] A year later in 1613, the Johor capital of
Batu Sawar was sacked by the Acehnese invaders and
Alauddin Riayat Shah, and his entire court, including Tun
2.1 Notable stories
Sri Lanang and Raja Abdullah was captured and exiled to
Aceh. Although Tun Sri Lanang manage to worked a bulk
of the Annals in Johor, he completed the work during his
captivity in Aceh.
In 1821, the English translation of Raes MS no.18 by
John Leyden was rst published in London.[24] Then, it
was followed by the edited version in Malay language
by Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir, published in Singapore
in 1831 and the compilation by douard Dulaurier in
1849.[25] In 1915, William Shellabear's edition was pub-
lished. It is considered as a hybrid long text, primarily
based on Abdullah and Dulauriers version but contain-
ing extracts from other texts as well.[26]
It was then fol-
lowed by another translation of Raes MS no.18, this
time by Richard Olaf Winstedt in 1938.[27] Another im-
portant version, compiled by Malaysian historian Abdul
Samad Ahmad in 1979, uses the original title of the
text, Sulalatus Salatin. Abdul Samads compilation was
based on three manuscripts that he named as A, B and C,
kept in the library of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala
Lumpur.[28] Two of the manuscripts, alternatively named
as MS86 and MS86a by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, were
later referred in the nomination form submitted for UN-
ESCOs Memory of the World Programme International
Register.[29]
2 Contents
The Malay Annals is a historical literature written in the
form of narrative-prose with its main theme was to laud
the greatness and superiority of Melaka.[30] The narra-
tion, while seemingly relating the story of the reign of the
sultans of Melaka until the demise of the sultanate to the
Portuguese in 1511 and beyond, deals with a core issue
of Malay statehood and historiography, the relationship
between rulers and ruled.[31] The Annals are prefaced by
a celebration of the greatness of Allah, the Prophet and
his companions. They begin with a genealogical account
of the rst sultan of Melaka who is said to be descended
from Raja Iskandar Zulkarnain. The Annals cover the
founding of Melaka and its rise to power; its relationship
with neighbouring kingdoms and distant countries; the
advent of Islam and its spread in Melaka and the region as
a whole; the history of the royalty in the region including
battles won or lost, marriage ties and diplomatic relation-
ships; the administrative hierarchy that ruled Melaka; the
greatness of its rulers and administrators, including the
Bendahara Tun Perak and Laksamana, Hang Tuah. The
Annals conclude with the account of Melakas defeat by
the Portuguese forces in 1511, resulting not only in the
downfall of Melaka, but also in the eventual re-emergence
of the Melakan-modeled sultanates in other parts of the
region, including Johor, Perak and Pahang.[32]
The genealogical origin of Sang Sapurba from
Raja Suran and the daughter of the Sea King, his
ascend to Seguntang Hill from the sea, and the oath
he made with Demang Lebar Daun, the native chief
of Palembang.[33]
The adventure of Sang Nila Utama from
Palembang to Temasek, and the founding of
Singapura. The Annals also describes how
Singapura got its name.[34]
The legend of Badang, a man with an unusual
strength who was said to have demonstrated his feat
of strength in Sri Rana Wikrama's court.[35]
The story of Hang Nadim, the saviour of Singapura
when the coastline of the kingdom was infested by
numerous erce swordsh.[36]
The fall of Singapura to Majapahit, and the eeing
of the last ruler, Sri Iskandar Shah. He lost the
island kingdom after he falsely accused and pun-
ished one of his concubines for adultery. Her father,
Sang Rajuna Tapa, who was also an ocial in Sri
Iskandar Shahs court, acted upon his familys hold-
ings, changed sides and opened the way for a suc-
cessful Majapahit invasion that ousted Sri Iskandar
Shah.[37]
The founding of Melaka. The last ruler of Sin-
gapura, Sri Iskandar Shah ed north and later
founded Melaka and introduced court ceremonies,
laws and regulations which became the basis of
Melaka administration. The Annals also describes
how Melaka got its name.[38]
The story of Tun Perak, the most revered
Bendahara of Melaka. The Annals recounts his il-
lustrious career, from a noble headman of Klang to
become the second most powerful man in Melakas
court.[39]
 3

The saga of Hang Tuah and his companions. Ac- 4 Translations

cording to the Hikayat Hang Tuah, Hang Tuah killed
one of his companions Hang Jebat in a duel that took The Malay Annals were translated into English by the
place at the Istana of Melaka. The Shellabear and Orientalist John Leyden.
Winstedts versions of the Annals on the other hand
records that instead of Hang Jebat, Hang Tuah killed
Hang Kasturi.[40]
5 See also
The legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang. It recounts Gangga Negara, an ancient Malay kingdom that is
the story of a princess descended from heaven liv- mentioned in the literature.
ing on top of Mount Ledang during the reign
of Mahmud Shah and once wooed by the sultan Kota Gelanggi, an ancient Malay city that is men-
himself.[41] tioned in the literature.

The Portuguese conquest of Melaka.[42] Accord-

ing to the Annals, the Portuguese forces, led by 6 Notes
Afonso de Albuquerque, launched a second assault
on Melaka during the reign of Ahmad Shah:, the [1] Ooi 2009, p. 285
rst being repulsed by the Bendahara Tun Mutahir.
The assault on the city was great on the rst day, [2] UNESCO 2012, p. 219
and on the second, Melaka fell to the Portuguese. [3] Encyclopdia Britannica 2014
However, according to Portuguese records, Albu-
querques assault on Melaka started on 25 July 1511, [4] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, p. xxvii
(on St. James Day), and the battle lasted for 15
[5] Encyclopdia Britannica 2014
days before the city was captured on 15 August.
Also, Portuguese records, especially the ones writ- [6] Ooi 2009, p. 285
ten by Albuquerques son, mention that the Melakan
[7] Encyclopdia Britannica 2014
Commander-In-Chief, Ahmad Shah, fell on the eld
of battle. However, in the Malay Annals account, [8] UNESCO 2012, p. 219
he survived the battle and retreated to a safer place,
only to be put to death by his own father.[43] [9] Roolvink 1967

[10] UNESCO 2001, pp. Nomination form pp. 34

[11] Roolvink 1967, p. 301

3 Signicance [12] Ooi 2009, p. 285

The Malay Annals have had great inuence on the history, [13] Roolvink 1967, pp. 306
culture, and development of the Malay civilisation, which [14] Roolvink 1967, pp. 304
had to confront major cultural transformation through the
centuries. Through courtly chronicles like the Malay An- [15] Leyden 1821, p. 1
nals, the Melakan tradition developed in the 15th century
[16] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, p. xxv
was transmitted onwards and fostered a vigorous ethos
of Malay identity. These chronicles became an impor- [17] Ooi 2009, p. 285
tant source of instruction for Melakas successor regimes,
as they enshrined the sanctity and authority of a Malay [18] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, p. xxiv
ruler (daulat), his role in maintaining the cohesion of the [19] Leyden 1821, p. 1
realm, and legitimated the increasingly absolutist visage
these states adopted in the competitive environment.[44] [20] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, p. xxv
Tun Sri Lanang wrote as follows at the beginning of the
[21] Roolvink 1967, pp. 310
Annals:[45]
As it is known, the Malay Annals and all kinds of other [22] Leyden 1821, p. 2
Malay manuscripts of whatever category still remain sub- [23] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, p. xxvii
jects of the study for the 'people who succeeded' from the
time the works were produced. Clearly those works not [24] Roolvink 1967, pp. 312
only tell us about the nature of the events and speech of [25] Roolvink 1967, pp. 302
Malay kings and their customs and traditions, but some-
thing far more deeper and broader than that.[46] [26] Roolvink 1967, pp. 309
4 7 REFERENCES

[27] Roolvink 1967, pp. 302
[28] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, p. xi
[29] UNESCO 2001, p. Nomination form p. 3
[30] UNESCO 2001, p. Nomination form p. 7
[31] UNESCO 2012, p. 219
[32] UNESCO 2012, p. 219
[33] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 826
[34] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 3041
[35] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 4754
[36] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 6769
[37] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 6266, 6971
[38] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 7173
[39] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 89111
[40] Australian National University, p. Sejarah Melayu
[41] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 212215
Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia (2013), Sulalatus
Salatin: Karya Agung Melayu di Institusi Simpanan
Dunia (PDF), Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
Riddell, Peter C. Malay Annals in Kelly Boyd, ed
(1999). Encyclopedia of Historians and Historical
Writing vol 2. Taylor & Francis. pp. 75657.; His-
toriography.
Roolvink, Roelof (1967), The Variant Version of
The Malay Annals
Sabrizain, Sejarah Melayu A History of The Malay
Peninsula
Siti Hawa Hj. Salleh (2010), Malay Literature of the
19th Century, Institut Terjemahan Negara Malaysia,
ISBN 978-983-068-517-5
UNESCO (2001), Memory of the World: Sejarah
Melayu (The Malay Annals)
UNESCO (2012), Memory of the World: The trea-
sures that record our history from 1700 BC to the
present day, Collins, ISBN 978-0-00-748279-5

[42] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, pp. 267270

[43] Abdul Samad Ahmad 1979, p. 271

[44] Harper 2001, p. 15

[45] Siti Hawa Hj. Salleh 2010, p. 251

[46] Siti Hawa Hj. Salleh 2010, p. 251

7 References
Abdul Samad Ahmad (1979), Sulalatus Salatin, De-
wan Bahasa dan Pustaka, ISBN 983-62-5601-6

Asmah Haji Omar (2004), The Encyclopedia of

Malaysia: Languages & Literature, Editions Didlers
Millet, ISBN 981-3018-52-6

Australian National University, Malay Concordance

Project

Encyclopdia Britannica (2014), Sejarah Melayu

Harper, Timothy Norman (2001), The End of Em-

pire and the Making of Malaya, Cambridge Univer-
sity Press, ISBN 978-0-521-00465-7

Leyden, John (1821), Malay Annals (translated

from the Malay language), Longman, Hurst, Rees,
Orme and Brown

Ooi, Keat Gin (2009), Historical Dictionary of

Malaysia, Scarecrow Press, ISBN 978-0-8108-
5955-5
 5

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