The Melaka Malay Sultanate was the centre of 'Malay World' in the 15th century. The kingdom was founded by Parameswara (a dignitary title) who left Temasik (now known as Singapore) to escape from Siam's military invasion. It was during his reign that Melaka became well known and even had diplomatic relations with China. Melaka also became a famous port, as well as the centre of spice trade in Southeast Asia. Melaka had the advantage of a strategic location and became favourable amongst traders from the East and West. The influence of the Melaka Sultanate extended to all states in the Malay Peninsular, Singapore as well as islands at the south. The Melaka Sultanate even had systematic and credible political system and administrations. This is evident from a number of historical sources, such as Hukum Kanun Melaka (Melaka's Code of Law), and Undang-undang Laut Melaka (Melaka's Maritime's Law).

At the height of the Melaka Sultanate, several state dignitaries were appointed. They include Bendahara, Temenggung, Penghulu Bendahari, Laksamana and Syahbandar, each playing a specific role. After the fall of Melaka, other Malay states in general followed the same administration's structure. Thus, it was the Melaka Sultanate that created the impetus of the Malay's political culture, with emphasis on palace protocols and customs, royalty/palace language, conferment of awards as well as rulings that governed the relations between the royals and his subjects.

The royal family was forced to live in exile when Portuguese invaded Melaka in 1511. In 1528, Sultan Mahmud died in Kampar, Sumatera. The Dutch invaded Melaka in 1641, which saw yet another changes to the administration system. In 1824, based on the British-Dutch Treaty, Dutch officially handed over Melaka to the British Government.