By the might and will of the sultan2009/11/06 New Straits Times GOMATHY RAMASAMY |
Royal items of personal adornment like combs and jewellery are among the exhibits in the museum. |
GOMATHY RAMASAMY tentatively steps inside the Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum, a resplendent building that has ancient treasures, rare artifacts, precious gems — everything, it seems, except an ordinary nail to hold it all together
| ‘Guards’ are everywhere as expected in a palace, where only members of the royal family and the gentry were allowed to move freely. |
| The royal dress codes are preserved and exhibited in beautiful glass cases. — Pictures by Rasul Azli Samad |
MALACCA: In a World Heritage City filled with historic buildings and architectural landmarks, the Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum stands out. Not for its roofs, although they are grand and steep enough. Not for its enclosed porches, even if it has seven of them.
It is its simple act of standing that is the cause of wonder, for the exquisite example of Malay architecture was built without the use of a single nail.
Add to that the equally improbable fact that the museum's design and construction were based entirely on a description contained in the book Sejarah Melayu, or The Malay Annals (Sulalatus Salatin), and one realises that one is about to enter a remarkable building indeed.
Its curator, Nurazimah Mat Ali, said the Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum is a clone of Sultan Mansur Syah's palace, which was built around 1465, as described in Sejarah Melayu.
"Only high quality wood was used to build the museum, and no nails at all. The walls are made of cengal, the floors of resak. The roof is built with the most expensive wood of all, belian," Nurazimah said.
The museum was built in 1984 and named the Cultural Museum. It was officially opened by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed on July 17, 1986.
"Although Malacca no longer has a sultan, the country's monarchy system has its roots in the ancient Malacca sultanate.
"We therefore built a replica of a Malay palace in the city to represent a significant period in the history of the state," she said.
Some contemporary architecture and décor have been adapted to suit present conditions. But these small concessions to modern times have neither diminished its grandeur nor called into question its authenticity.
Wood is predominant throughout. Apart from providing the shell and structure, it is carved into fine and detailed traditional decorative pieces to add beauty.
There is a magnificent throne room filled with art pieces and artifacts, lavish bedroom suites, a royal treasury and a "forbidden garden" for the sultan's exclusive use.
The istana did not only serve as the home of the sultan, but it was also the centre of the state's administration. This is clearly depicted at the Balairong Seri at the entrance of the museum.
Other sections display recreated scenes of historical events like the battle between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, and palace activities in its heyday. There are also miniature replicas of traders from Java, Arab, Gujarat and Siam.
"The forbidden garden with colourful flowers was once the playground of princesses," said Nurazimah.
"The istana would also have a wall or fence that is guarded by sentries under the charge of a bentara. It was off-limits to the common folk.
"Only the immediate relatives of the sultan and members of the gentry were allowed to move freely inside the istana.
"But since this is a museum, we don't need the walls."
The museum is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm. The entry fee is RM2 per adult and 50 sen per child.
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