The MALACCA MALAY SULTANATE began in 1278 and not in the 1400s, as discovered by a state-appointed research team. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the year (1278) was chosen based on the Raja Bongsu version of the Malay Annals or the "Sulalatus al-Salatn" (Raffles 18).
Following the discovery, the research committee, chaired by Malacca Islamic University College vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Wira Dr Mohd Yusoff Hashim, agreed that Malacca began as a political entity, known as the Malacca Malay Sultanate, in 1278.
He said the findings of the research was tabled to the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Malacca Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob at his office in Ayer Keroh here yesterday. The research, headed by Prof Dr Abdullah Zakaria Ghazali from the Department of History, Universiti Malaya, started in June last year. Ali said a seminar would be held this year to further discuss the matter. - Bernama
Sumber : New Sunday Times, April 18
