Posted: 05 December 2006 at 3:16pm | IP Logged

Dear friends,

My assertion about 'ancient....': Already Kedah's MB has voiced out why Kedah's history wasn't given due recognition.... their Govt then was even more 'ancient' than Malacca's.

Now, back to Malacca: Here's what I call a good insight into the Malacca story from an Opinion in today's The Star.... read on a commentary entitled:

A history lesson in Malacca              Comment: By M. VEERA PANDIYAN

You can surf it at:  http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/5/focus/16225545&sec=focus

Posted: 04 December 2006 at 1:01pm | IP Logged

Good point brother. Agreed. Not only there could be more in the town itself but I do heard 'stories' from the locals that even as far as Pantai Puteri, Pantai Kundur, there are still certain 'archaeological ancients' left 'buried'. But alas, this is only 'rumours'...could be true and could not be true.

Posted: 04 December 2006 at 10:19am | IP Logged

The discovery of an 'ancient' part of a supposedly Portuguese fort wall in Malacca is a refreshing news indeed.... so perhaps the famous remnants of 'A Famosa' fort is just a tip of the iceberg! I wouldn't call the discovery something 'ancient' though -- its just a glimpse of 16th/17th century Malacca. In fact the Malacca Sultanate site(s) is(are) more ancient, but not so if compared say, to the Kota Gelanggi story (btw, what has become of its research?).

I'm not a historian but I loves history. I hope this new discovery of the fort (and its artefacts) will spur more interest among the new generation of Malaysians. Presently our kids just read history for the sake passing their exams, or may I say to score an A1 or A2! That's just not enough for us to inculcate the true importance of understanding our own history -- and writes about them, professionally. A recent debate of the development of Penang is another case in point -- e.g. where does Jannaton fits into the picture of Dato' Keramat, Sir Francis Light, or even some earlier Chinese settlers (perhaps left behind from one of Admiral Zheng He's voyages?).

Just one more point to start the ball rolling (hopefully), I am intrigued by the fact that most of the things left standing in Malacca city today are that of the Dutch influence (perhaps by Ruud van Nistelroy's great, great grandfathers...?).... could it be that they have demolished the Portuguese city (there goes Luis Figo's great, great grandfathers' "contribution"?) en route to stamp their greatness over Malacca's entrepot in the 17th century? As it is now it seems that the old cities are being built layer after layer.... with 'Figo' lying below 'Ruud'. Am I totally wrong here with this assumption? 

Historians out there.... please educate us on this. TQ....