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Malacca

The State

Located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 14 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur, is a state hailed by historians as the place where Malaysia's rich history can be traced. Malacca spans 1, 658 sg. km., and is divided into three main districts, Central Malacca, Alor Gajah and Jasin.

It was founded by exiled prince from Sumatra, Parameswara, in 1400. It thrived as a port-of-call to many a ship and merchant from China, India, Arab and South America. In 1511 it fell to the hands of the Portuguese followed by the Dutch in 1641 after fierce battle. In 1795 Malacca was given to the British to prevent it falling to the French when the Netherlands was captured during the French Revolution. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the Treaty of Vienna but was later exchanged by the British for Bencoleen, Sumatra. From 1826 onwards it was ruled by English East India Company in Calcutta together with Singapore and Penang under Straits Settlement administration. After World War II, anti-colonial sentiment bred in the country among the nationalists, the result of which the proclamation of Independence by his Highness Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, at the Padang Pahlawan (Warrior's Field) at Bandar Hilir, Malacca on 20th February 1956.

Malacca boasts a legacy of history and charm only a rare few places on Earth are bestowed with. It resembles a compact living museum - filled with an intriguing mix of its inhabitants - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Straits-born Chinese and Portuguese descendants.

Here, remnants of the past sit unperturbed by a city that races towards the future.

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