THE HERITAGE OF THE PAST

Until the beginning of the fiffteen century, the history of what is now Malaysia is difficult to reconstruct with any certainty. because of the lack of information, historians have tended to regard the rise of the great entrepot, Malacca, on the west coast of the Malay peninsular as an identifiable starting point for Malay history. There is a consequent inclination to consider the century before 1400-the'PRE-MALAKAN PERIOD'- as being of relatively little importance in the evolution of modern Malaysia. But Melaka's development from a quiet fishing village to a world renowned emporium and centre of malay culture cannot be explained unless one realizes that behind the splendour of its court and the vigour of its commerce lay traditions of trade and government that had evolved over centuries. the story of Malaysia does not therefore begin at Melaka but stretches back deep into the past.an examination of Melaka's heritage not only provides the context essential for an understanding of later events, but throws up themes that continue to be relevant as Malaysian history unfolds