What Melaka knew about unity in diversity

On October 25, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to reject divisive politics based on race and religion. He argued that some people attempt to "distort history by claiming that this country can only be saved through the victory of a single race." Anwar is correct, as history demonstrates. The tension between Malay political dominance and the rise of non-Malay citizens has created an "us versus them" mentality, placing non-Malay citizens on the defensive.

However, Melaka's history reveals a different narrative. For about a century, Melaka was both the most important port in the Malay world and a diverse melting pot. The city's success stemmed from its ability to harness this diversity, allowing traders from around the world to coexist and thrive. Melaka's success hinged on its administrative approach, appointing a chief port master (Shahbandar) to oversee and manage the diverse population.

Each community enjoyed administrative autonomy in areas such as marriage, inheritance, and religious practices, while the sultanate retained overall control over commercial, criminal, and appellate matters. This system created a shared sovereign frame, a common commercial language, and a legal horizon, fostering unity without demanding shared blood, schooling, or culture.

The claim that non-Malay presence in the peninsula is merely a colonial residue is debunked by the historical record. The ancestors of today's Malaysian Chinese, Indian, and other communities were present in Melaka long before British colonial rule. They lived, traded, and even intermarried under Malay sovereignty, demonstrating the compatibility of Malayness and non-Malay residence in the same land.