State Sport (MELAKA)

THIS issue, we look at Melaka, historically known as ‘The Emporium of the East’, where the first Malay sultanate started and where the architecture of its town is shaped by centuries of Portugese, Dutch and British colonisation.Founded in the 14th century by Parameswara, a Palembang prince, Melaka continues to draw tourists with its well-guarded historical sites and easy pace of life.
It is currently the political stronghold of Barisan Nasional. Kota Melaka, a seat held by DAP since 1969, was taken over by BN in the 2004 elections..

Islamisation and Human Rights Development

Melaka was central in the spread of Islam in the peninsular and its main contribution to the evolution of Malay culture is the incorporation of Islamic ideas.

Parameswara, is said to have converted to Islam in 1411 after marrying a princess from Pasai. Other documents credit Sri Maharaja Muhammad Shah (1424-45) as the first ruler to convert to Islam. His son, Mudzaffar Shah (1446-59), proclaimed Islam the state religion.
Regardless, the conversion of the Melaka Sultanate to Islam is seen as a watershed in Melaka’s history in the political concept of kingship, and in terms of economic advantages and territorial expansion. Its vassal states were persuaded or compelled to adopt Islam, and its commercial success reinforced self-islamization.

Once established as the religion of the Malays, Islam profoundly affected Malay society and the Malay way of life.

In 1988, the state government formalised the prohibition of propagation by passing the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religious Enactment. The Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1991 prescribes punishment (detention at Islamic rehabilitation centres) to Muslims who attempt murtad (apostasy).

In Aug 2004, the local council directed restaurant operators to remove beer advertisements and logos from their premises. The reasons given were communal sensitivities and to prevent the historic city from the image of a ‘beer-drinking city.’

In Feb 2005, the Chief Minister launched a moral squad called Pasukan Gerak Khas 4B, set up by a youth group to spy on people and deter behaviour considered indecent under Islamic law. The Cabinet directed the state government to disband the squad after the public protested.
Following this, the media highlighted the case of a non-Muslim family of a deceased fireman who secretly converted to Islam. The family lost their inheritance right when the Chinese fireman died officially a Muslim.

His estate was placed under the administration of the Melaka Islamic Religious Council. In response to, the council donated half the estate ‘in kind’ to the family.

The case highlighted the dilemma of the country’s dual legal system and the hardship caused to families when one of their members convert to Islam.

Early this year, the Jasin reclining Buddha statue (supposedly the second largest in the country) and a Siamese temple were demolished by local authorities because they were illegally built on private land meant for agricultural purposes.

Despite the Islamic zeal, it is generally acknowledged that racial assimilation with the other races and minor groups has enriched the Malay society and laid a strong foundation for the state.

Prof. Datuk Shamsul Amri Baharuddin of University Kebangsaan Malaysia, the consultant to the mandatory course Ethnic Relations for first-year students at public institution of higher learning, believes that Melaka “is the apex of ethnic relations and this is how we need to see it in the light of our interest in ethnic relations today” (NST, Feb 5).

Corruption
In 2004, the Auditor-General queried the state government on its lack of proper allocation for development on tanah wakaf (endowment land). Only 10% of the allotted land was developed to benefit the community. The AG also questioned the government’s expenditure on state projects.

The same year, Melaka stole the headlines by liberally awarding 84 datukships to mark the 66th birthday of its governor. For months, the incident was highly criticised as it reflected an expansion of money politics, and thus affected the integrity of the title.

In January, DAP lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency against the Melaka Chief Minister for an alleged misuse of charity health fund.

In April, a controversy was created by the Jasin member of Parliament who admittedly asked the Melaka Custom office to ‘close one eye’ over an import of illegal sawn timber.

Piracy

The Strait of Malacca is a critical and strategic waterway in the global trading system. More than 10 million barrels of crude oil pass through the strait every day, with more than 50,000 vessels transiting its waters every year.

In April, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore signed two agreements aimed at closer cooperation to strengthen the strait’s security. Since then, piracy in the region has decreased markedly.

Financially stable, Melaka was considered one of the more developed states in 2005. Based on the Development Composite Index 2005, it ranked third after Kuala Lumpur and Pulau Pinang.

It remains one of the major choices of location for both domestic and foreign investment due to the availability of adequate and good infrastructure, proximity to air and sea hubs, financial centres and support services. Development projects in Melaka under the 9th Malaysian Plan include the upgrading of the airport to handle narrow-bodied jets to boost tourism.

The Church
Churches were established with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1511, the Dutch in 1641 and the British in 1786. The Portugese brought in Roman Catholicism while the Dutch promoted Dutch Reformed Protestantism.

Today, Melaka houses some 20 Protestant churches. Functional unity among the churches is admirable. There has been concerted effort among the churches in organising evangelistic meetings and Christmas celebration.

Thanks to the influx of foreign workers, churches have been working together, sharing resources and manpower in establishing vibrant migrant ministry. However, there is room for improvement in relational unity among the pastors for accountability and leadership bonding.

In terms of church growth, the Chinese-speaking churches have recorded strong growth while the English-speaking churches seem to be at status quo. Youth work, especially outreaches to the university and college students, has been fruitful.

Despite the active involvement in ministries and church activities, the Gospel has yet to become a lifestyle, commented one Christian leader in Melaka. The more affluent Christians tend to be complacent and materialistic.