'No problem in keeping Hang Tuah in history syllabus'

Historian Ranjit Singh Mahli believes that there is no need to rewrite the history textbooks to remove mentions of Hang Tuah as there are supporting documents that the renowned Malay warrior existed.

Ranjit (left) said that Hang Tuah was noted in the works of leading historians such as OW Wolters and C Mary Turnbull, as an admiral who served the 15th century Malacca sultanate.

He was responding to comments by renowned historian Professor Emeritus Khoo Kay Kim who said Hang Tuah and his comrade Hang Jebat were myths.

Moreover, Khoo insisted there are also no written records of princess Hang Li Po, reputed to be the fifth wife of Sultan Mansor Shah of Malacca.

Khoo suggested that secondary school history textbooks berewritten to remove mention of these figures as there are not enough records to prove their existence.

“In the 2002 edition (current Sejarah textbook), Hang Tuah is mentioned in passing on pages 61 and 83 as a laksamana (admiral) and a brave warrior.

“No mention is made of Hang Li Po and the other Malacca warriors. However, in the 1996 edition of the Form One history textbook (pages 36 and 40), Hang Tuah is given greater prominence. Also mention is made of Hang Li Po and Hang Tuah’s fellow warriors - Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu,” explained Ranjit.

“Indeed, Encyclopaedia Britannica too considers Sejarah Melayu(Malay Annals) as one of the finest literary and historical works in the Malay language concerning the Malacca sultanate,” said Ranjit.

‘Little corroborative evidence’

Apart from Hang Tuah, the other notable figures who are prominently portrayed in Sejarah Melayu, compiled 600 years ago, were not extensively mentioned in recorded history, said  historian Professor Zainal Kling yesterday.

As there was little corroborative evidence, Zainal said more research needed to be done before they are dismissed as myths.

“Sejarah Melayu also mentions about Sultan Mansor Shah dispatching Tun Perpateh Puteh on a mission to China, who returned with a Chinese princess (Hang Li Po) as a wife for Mansor Shah and many Chinese followers who settled at Bukit China.

“We need to ascertain whether this is a historical fact or a mere myth to show the greatness of the Malacca rulers,” added Ranjit.

The history textbook writer also recommended that the history syllabus be reviewed to ensure factual accuracy and consistency.

He also encouraged for it to be “geared towards enhancing deep learning, critical thinking, information literacy and presentation skills of students and not merely just for memorisation and to pass exams”.