'Malays are not immigrants', says academic
MELAKA: Malays should not be labelled immigrants in the Malay Archipelago, particularly in Tanah Melayu, as their history is closely linked to the centuries-old merantau tradition, said International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM) director Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Merican.
An academic has clarified that Malays should not be referred to as immigrants in the Malay Archipelago, particularly in Tanah Melayu. Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Merican, Director of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM), emphasized that their history is deeply connected to the centuries-old merantau tradition.
He stressed that describing Malays as immigrants inaccurately omits the history, culture, and geographical ties across the region. The movement of Malay communities among regions in the Malay Archipelago, including Luzon, Sumatra, and Sulawesi, should be seen as part of the merantau tradition, rather than strictly as migration defined by modern political borders.
This tradition also connected Malay communities from various regions, fostering historical, cultural, linguistic ties, and the concept of balik kampung – returning to one's place of origin and community networks.
ISTAC-IIUM Director Prof Ahmad Murad Merican made these points during a session titled "Unravelling the Polemic of Tanah Melayu" at Musyawarah Nasional 3.0, held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh, Melaka. The event was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Musyawarah Nasional founder Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, alongside Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Constitutional and public law expert Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz countered the notion that Tanah Melayu's existence had waned. She affirmed that the term and status of Tanah Melayu have never disappeared, as it is enshrined in the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the country. The Constitution refers to Tanah Melayu through two main terms: the "States of Malaya" (Negeri-negeri Tanah Melayu) and the "Malay Peninsula" (Semenanjung Tanah Melayu).
Understanding all provisions in the Constitution can enhance national understanding and bolster the country's position.
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