MUZIUM SEJARAH / HISTORY MUSEUM
DUTCH CUPBOARD
This Dutch cupboard with the VOC insignia has two fully decorated doors. It is made of hard black wood in Melaka in the 17th century.
DUTCH WAR SHIP MODEL
This is a model of a Dutch war ship. This type of ship was used in the war between the Dutch and the Portuguese in the Straits of Melaka.
THE FALL OF THE PORTUGUESE FORTRESS
The long siege on the fortress caused extreme hardship to the Portuguese who were in the fortress. Some of them tried to break through the blockade but were caught. The Dutch knew that the Portuguese did not have enough food and would be defeated in a sudden attack. On 11th January 1641, the Dutch, with renewed vigor, bombarded the East and Southeast bastions of the fortress, and succeeded in bringing down the wall so that its soldiers could enter the fort. A bridge was built in the middle of the night to facilitate their movements.
On 14th January 1641, at two o’clock in the morning, Captain Minne Williemson Kaartekoe ordered 650 of his soldiers to attack Melaka from the east. The Portuguese were defeated. Only the A Famosa could not be taken even though 20 Dutch soldiers were killed. In the end, the Portuguese governor surrender.
The Portuguese fort had withstood several attacks; finally fell after an eight-month battle.
THE SURRENDER OF THE PORTUGUESE TO THE DUTCH
Melaka fell to the Dutch at 10 a.m. on 14th January 1641. The Portuguese raised the white flag as a signal of their surrender. They had occupied Melaka for 129 years, three months and four days. Commander Minne Williemson Kaartekoe, who stayed in the camp in Kampung Keling, entered the Portuguese fort to discuss with the Portuguese Governor, Dom Manuel de Souza Coutinho, the handing over of power and the terms of surrender.
After some pleading from the priests, the Dutch Captain agreed to let all the Portuguese went taking with them their wealth and all church properties. Only the Portuguese Royal soldiers were detained and taken to Batavia. The Portuguese Governor garlanded a bunch of the keys to Melaka around the Dutch Captain’s neck. The Portuguese left, but their descendants remained in Melaka. The Portuguese Governor died two days later and was buried in Melaka.
The Portuguese-Dutch war resulted in the death of 7000 Melaka. Almost 10000 people left Melaka. Only 3000 stayed behind. 1500 Dutch soldiers, including three captains, and 200 Portuguese descendants died because of the war and the epidemic. With that, the Portuguese era came to an end.
THE CONFLICT BETWEEN NANING AND THE DUTCH
The people of Naning helped the Sultan of Johore lay a siege of the Portuguese fortress and blocked the supply of food coming from the inland areas. The Dutch did not appreciate the actions of the people of Naning. Instead, they considered Naning their colony and on 16th August, 1641, imposed a 10% tax on all its products, additional tax on its boats, limited their movements to the Melaka River, and ordered that all weapons be surrendered to them. These orders were not obeyed.
In February 1643, Governor Van Vlient led an expedition of 160 Dutch soldiers to Naning and ordered the local people to plant extra paddy, clean the river to facilitate easier movement of boats, and made the Dato Penghulu Naning as the Captain of Naning under him. The people of Naning refused to obey him and killed the Captain of Melaka, Fosenburgh; harbour master Menie and six soldiers when they tried to take an action against them. War broke out between the Dutch and the people of Naning, resulting in 31 Dutch soldiers being killed. The Dutch governor who went to help the Captain was lucky enough to escape and returned to Melaka without his chest of 13,000 rial and other personal belongings. The Dutch wanted the Sultan of Johore to take action against Naning and Prime Minister Sekudai was sent to resolve the matter.
However, the Dutch were still not satisfied and in 1645, retaliated against Naning.
350 Dutch soldiers under the command of Joan Truijtman destroyed the home and paddy fields in Naning. The people retaliated in a disorderly manner. In 1646, the new Dutch governor sent 540 soldiers to attack Naning, but also intentionally destroyed all the food crops, including coconut and betel nut trees.
This wanton destruction forced the people of Naning to seek a truce.
Peace between the Dutch and the people of Naning were short-lived. The Dutch wanted to take control of naming, but the people of Naning wanted to remain free.
THE BUILDING OF THE FORT ON ST. PAUL HILL
A Famosa and Portuguese fortress that was enlarged actually went around only St.Paul’s Hill. When the Dutch captured the city in 1641, much of the fortress had been damaged to the point that Melaka did not have much defence.
The Dutch initially wanted to strengthen the fort on the banks and mouth of Melaka River, and to built a fort on top of Bukit China and Bukit Senjuang. This plan was never carried out because of the Dutch East India Company’s refusal to allocate funds to build these forts.
Next, the Dutch East India Company planned to build a fort around a part of St. Paul’s Hill, which was smaller than that of the Portuguese. They also planned to build a fort around Bukit China. Work began on the fort on Bukit China but was later abandoned when it did not get the support of senior Dutch officials in Batavia.
In the end, the defence and safety of the Dutch in Melaka was given serious attention and it was decided that St. Paul’s Hill would be the main Dutch base. In 1660, a new bastion was erected near the river estuary. When Balthasar Bort became the Governor of Melaka (1665-1677), he started the construction of the Dutch fortress to be bigger than the Portuguese fort and to encircle St. Paul’s Hill and surrounding areas. Bort also modified the gateway into the city, and added to insignia of the Dutch East India to it. Construction work was completed in 1670. A moat dug to connect the Melaka River at the fort’s northern point and the sea near the ‘Santiago’ gate, making St. Paul’s Hill and island.
A Dutch report in 1726 stated that the fortress of Melaka was strong, solid and difficult to surmount.
THE ERECTION OF AROUND THE KING’S WELL
Perigi Raja (King’s Well) was dug during the reign of Sultan Mansur Syah (1378-1449) for his wife, Princess Hang Li Poh, to use. Also known as Hang Li Poh’s well, it was known for its clean, clear and sweet water, and it never dried up even during a prolonged drought. Even foreigners acknowledge its purity during the era of the Sultanate.
The importance of the King’s Well as a main source of water made it a target for enemies of the Portuguese who attacked the Portuguese Fortress. The first time it was targeted target in 1551 when the descendants of the Sultan of Melaka in Johore laid a siege on the fort for three months. Before retreating, they poisoned the well. The Portuguese, who had been besieged in the A Famosa, drank the water, causing 200 of them to die. All those who attacked Melaka, including the Dutch in 1606-1608 when they laid siege on Melaka, used this strategy.
When the Dutch captured Melaka from the Portuguese in 1641, they realized the importance of the King’s well as the main water source for the fortress and fearing that their enemies too could poison them, decided to guard it. At first, the Dutch only stationed a guard or tow, and erected a barrier around the well. In 1677, Governor Bort built a wooden barricade and placed eight cannons to defend it against an attack by the people of Naning. Ten soldiers under a sergeant guarded this well at all times. A small stone fortress with several cavities to house cannons was built for greater security. When Melaka was handed over to the British in 1824, the maintenance of this small fort was neglected. Although the King’s well was still the main water source, the small fort was left to deteriorate until it eventually collapsed. Today, only its wall stands as a symbol of the role-played by the oldest well in the country.
THE FREEDOM TO BUILD MOSQUES AND TEMPLES
During the era of the Sultanate, freedom of worship was an important feature, which promoted harmony among different races. The Portuguese curtailed this freedom and only permitted Catholicism in Melaka. The Dutch were not religious fanatics like the Portuguese. They were more tolerant of other religious beliefs but up till 1695, they started to have less tolerant of Catholicism, because of the religious affiliations in Europe and the antagonism shown by the Portuguese towards the Dutch.
However, as traders, the Dutch with their harsh trade policies were merciless to the other merchants, causing them to go elsewhere to conduct their business. As such, Melaka prosperity and wealth suffered and its population growth became stagnant. Melaka’s economy only grew in spurts when the politics of the region changed. Its reputation still attracted people, but it could not regain its former status.
The Dutch population in Melaka numbered only a few hundred at any one time. This small population was not able to defend itself against the increasing number of enemies. They needed the support of the local people to withstand any attack. At the end of the 17th century, they began to socialize with the descendants of the Portuguese. They allowed the construction of mosques, temples, and Catholic churches, and granted land for these purposes. The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple was built in 1782. An Indian temple was built in 1781.
It was the existence of these mosques, temples and churches that made the people who wanted to stay in Melaka instead of moving elsewhere as they created a sense of belonging. This feeling was so strong that the people refused to move to Penang when ordered to do so by the British in 1805.
THE WAR BETWEEN THE DUTCH AND THE BUGINESE IN 1756
During the 17th century, Sulawesi (Celebes), located to the east of Borneo, attracted merchants mainly because of the continuing war between Johore, Acheh and Portuguese Melaka in the Straits of Melaka. The wealth of its trade allowed the Buginese to venture out and seek power bases outside Sulawesi. The beginning of the 18th century, they became to power to control Johore and Riau. In Melaka itself, there was a large Buginese population. Initially, the Dutch, both in Batavia and in Melaka, were on good terms with the Buginese and did not interfere when they captured Kedah and Perak. However, later the Dutch in Melaka felt the threat of the Buginese in the Peninsula because they not only had to compete with the Buginese traders but also because of the Buginese influence around Melaka. The Malays too felt threatened by the influence of the Buginese and wanted to oust them. The Dutch supported the Malays against the Buginese. War broke out between the descendants of the King of Siak, with the Dutch and the Buginese supporting opposing sides. Finally, those backed by the Dutch won the war in 1755, causing outright warfare between the Dutch and the Buginese.
In April 1756, the Buginese under Yam Tuan Muda Daeng Kemboja who already had a colony in Linggi attacked Melaka from the north. The Dutch could not defeat the Buginese, but a fleet arrived from Terengganu to help them and took Linggi. However, in August that year, Daeng Kemboja, with the help of Yam Tuan Muda Kelang and Rembau, attacked Melaka again and camped in Klebang. About hundreds of Dutch soldiers tried to chase them out, but failed to do so. The ill-equipped Dutch had to retreat, with the Buginese chasing them back to Melaka. A fight broke out in Klebang and Tengkera, causing many buildings damaged. One of these was the Tengkera Mosque, which were built in 1728. At the end, only the minaret remained intact, testimony to the war.
THE DUTCH-BUGIS WAR AT KUALA LINGGI
The war between the Dutch and the Bugis, which escalated in August 1756, resulted in the siege of the Dutch fort in October that year. The siege of Melaka lasted until May 1757, when the Dutch in Batavia sent a large military force to Melaka and defeated the Bugis there. Daeng Kemboja and his men withdrew to Linggi to plan their next move, however the Dutch gave them no chance to do so.
The Dutch assembled their navy and launched an attack on the Bugis ships anchored off the Linggi River estuary. The Dutch ships left from Melaka during the night and arrived off Kuala Linggi at dawn. They lined their ships in a single file and after calculating in the direction of the wind and the tide, launched their attack on the Bugis ships. The Bugis ships were trapped and could not prevent themselves from being easy targets for the fast sailing Dutch ships in its single line formation. Many Bugis ships were sunk or destroyed and the Bugis were forced to ask for peace.
The peace treaty enabled the Dutch to take Rembau and Kelang, and obtain compensation for their losses. As a sign of friendship, a fort was built on top of Supai Hill, which was called Fort Filipina (after the daughter of the Dutch Governor-General). The treaty was signed at the fort on the 1st January 1758
MONTI ALI MARIA IN MINIATURE
Melaka Hill (now called St. Paul’s Hill) was named Monti Ali Maria (Mary’s Hill) during the Portuguese era after the church of the same name on the top of the hill. This miniature shows the area around it in the 1620s. The Portuguese had built a fort with four entrances around the hill. The A Famosa was the part of that fortress. Only two entrances were used at any one time. The church (Madre de Deus) and the school were located on the top of the hill. The houses were made of brick and wood. A town hall, two hospitals, and five churches were built within the fortress. The Portuguese descendants lived across the river from the fort.
The war between the Portuguese and the Dutch in 1640-1641 caused extensive damage on the Portuguese fortress and buildings. When the Dutch conquered Melaka, they destroyed all of the buildings, which had Portuguese influence. With that, the Portuguese-type buildings in Melaka disappeared except for the Church Madre de Deus.
THE BAQUIT ST. PAULO IN MINIATURE
The scenario depicts of the St. Paul’s Hill area during the Dutch era in 1740’s. When the Dutch took over Melaka from the Portuguese in 1641, only the Madre Deus church, which was badly damaged, had not collapsed, but used as their religious place. The hill had been renamed after the church as St. Paul’s Hill. The Baquit St. Paulo church underwent many changes while other buildings erected by the Portuguese were torn down. A new plan of Dutch design was drawn up. The Stadthuys was the first building to be built, followed by others around the St. Paulo Hill. For the first time ever, the southern section of the hill was also used to build houses. The fort around the hill was also extended. Most of these buildings are still standing and are still using until today.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF TONY LYE FONG NGE
He was born in 1939 and educated both in a Chinese school (Pay Fong Middle School) and a Christian Brother School (St. Francis Institution) in Melaka. He finished his secondary schooling in 1958, and taught in a Malay school in Umbai, Melaka for a year.
In I960, He was recruited as a Co-operative Inspector and was trained at the Cooperative College in Petaling Jaya for a few months before being posted to Ipoh. His duty there was to look after the Co-operative Societies' accounts in various new villages in Perak. Through this work he traveled to most of the townships and villages including Grik, Lenggong, Liman Kati, Kuala Kangsar, Sitiawan, Taiping, Tapah, Kampar, Batu Gajah, Sungai Siput, Teluk Anson and Tanjong Malim.
After traveling for 3 years, he decided to call it a day and joined the judicial department in Kuala Lumpur as a student interpreter. After a year training in three Chinese dialects in INTAN (in Petaling Jaya), he was posted to the Court Hill Kuala Lumpur as a qualified Chinese Interpreter. He worked under the late Mr. E.E. Sim (President of the Session Courts) for 3 years before leaving and then left to join the British Petroleum as a Retail Clerk.
He remained there until 1978 when he decided to become a coin dealer. He started the Malaysia Numismatic Society together with Mr. E.E. Sim in 1968 and now he is the only Founder Member left in the Society. At present, he is a Life Member and the 1st Vice President of the Malaysia Numismatic Society. He helped to price the Society's 1st Coin Catalogue in 1976 and was awarded the ‘Malaysia Numismatic Expert’ in 1989. He also contributed his service to the World Coins Catalogues by pricing for them the coins of British North Borneo, Sarawak and the Straits Settlements for a period of 6 years in the 1980 and in the same year was awarded "Man of Achievement" by International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England. His death was on 31st January 2013.
CURRENCY IN MELAKA
The system of exchange of goods also known as the “Barter System” was the earliest practice in the history of human cultural practice before currency was introduced. The system of exchanging an amount of goods by one person with certain goods believed to have the same value as the goods of the other person was also practiced in Melaka. However, this system lacked transparency as there were several problems, huge goods were difficult to be carried around and there was the problem of finding people who wanted to exchange those exact goods or services. Gold , silver and tin ore (which later became coin currency) were used as units of value which were easy to store and use and easy to carry around and lasted long.
Currency was first introduced during the reign of the Melaka Malay Sultanate. The growth by the chronology involved four sultans, that is Sultan Muzaffar Shah (1340-1378), Sultan Mansur Shah (1378-1449) , Sultan Ahmad Shah (1510) and Sultan Mahmud Shah (1481-1511). Before the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, there was no currency introduced because there was a resource from China, by Ma Huan, which stated that trading in Melaka included the use of gold dust, sticks of silver, tin ore and Cowdry shells which were imported from the Maldives or Borneo. Foreign traders also introduced currency such as copper coins of China, Pasai coins, gold dinar, tin coins and local coins.
Melaka coin currency is round with writing in Jawi in the front and back with some mixed language of Malay and Arab. These coins do not have any date attached to the name of the ruler and has similarities with the currency of Sultanate of Sumatera Pasai. This has become the basic currency in Melaka. Old Dinar was used until 1514.
During the conquest of the Portuguese, they introduced their currency that is comprised gold from Portugal, silver from Malaquese, , ‘Saldor’ and ‘Dinneiros’, and metal of alloy, tin and lead.However, there is no clear evidence of the use of gold and silver by the Portuguese. The ‘Bazaruccos’ currency however was used widely in the local market. The silver ‘Tanga’ currency was introduced between 1629 and 1635 that is before the Dutch Era.
When the Dutch conquered Melaka, the first Dutch Governor introduced coins of the Dutch East India Company or VOC. This included copper valued at ¼ and ½ Stivers. In 1776, coins were also issued and named ‘Monks’, these were made of red copper of Japan.
Then at the beginning of the government of the Straits Settlements, that is Penang, Melaka and Singapore, Indian Rupees and Penang coins became official currency of the region. However, traders preferred to use the silver dollar of Spain and Mexico. Then in 1830, when there was a major problem of lack of currency in Singapore and there was a conflict became trading used foreign currency and the Rupees. The Rupees was recognized as the official usable currency in the Straits Settlements as in documents the government was using this currency,whereas for trading matters it was using foreign currency. The Indian Act No.18 in 1835 stated that all foreign currency that is Spanish, Mexican, Peruvian, Bolivian and of Hong Kong were official to use. In 1874, the American were also well used in the Straits Settlements.
Following this, the British currency was used in 1895 and starting from 1904 the Straits Settlements Government ordered coins valued at 5 cents, 10 cents and 20 cents which had the words “Queen Victoria” on them. The lack of coin had the words “Starits Settlements”. 50 cents coins were introduced in 1866. Banknotes was only first printed in the Straits Settlements in 1898, After 31st August 1904, all foreign currencies was considered not official.
On 8 October 1938, the Currency Ordinance No.23, 1938 was passed to establish the “Board of Commissioners of Malaya Currency” for managing the currency notes and coins in the Straits Settlements in Malaya. Banknotes and coins were stamped with the face of the British Royal Monarchy, King George III from 1952, banknotes and coins were stamped with another British Monarchy ‘s face that is Queen Elizabeth II. When Peninsular of Malaya achieved independence in 1957, there was a change in the currency. Before 1959 and 1961, banknotes was used with the picture of fishing boat for $ 1, a farmer with a water buffalo ploughing a paddy field for $10.
During the Japanese era of administration (1941-1945), the currency of their own was introduced for trading purposes in all areas of their conquests. This currency had the same value as the currency of the Straits Settlements. The bank notes that was produced in areas of Japanese conquest, was different and differentiated by the first letter being the capital (Tanah Melayu) (or Ma-rai-ee) letter M. Japanese currency was synonymous as “ Banana Leaf Money” which caused high inflation when the Japanese army administration officers simply issued unlimited currency. The lack of series numbers and fake notes further increased the deterioration of the economy in Malay Peninsula.
When Japan was defeated in 1945, the British used the currency notes of 5,10,100 and 1000 dollars of the Japanese army which was printed using the word MALAYAN. These were coloured red on top and the words “ War Souvenir” were written below, together with VJ and Grim Memories of 1941-1945 written in the middle in black ink. On 20 August 1945, this currency was let go from the air to spread the news of victory over Japan and to end the use of the currency of Japan.
Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia) , first Produced bank notes (Ringgit) on June 1967 to replace the Malayan and British Borneo dollar with currency valued at $ 1, $ 5, $ 10, $ 50 and $ 100 followed by $1000 on 2 September 1968. Malaysia bank notes from earliest years, always held the face of Tunku Abdul Rahman, that is the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, together with the signature of Tun Ismail bin Mohamed Ali, the first Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia.
On August 1972, Bank Negara Malaysia received new Bahasa Malaysia’s spelling for printing bank notes while the design remain timeless. The word “Ringgit” and “Sen” were used as official words on August 1975. The word “Ringgit” means jagged” and originally meant jagged edges of the silver dollars of Spain which was widely used in Portuguese era.
The "$" symbol (or "M $") was replaced with “RM” around 1993, but at the international level MYR (MY as the Malaysian Code) was widely accepted by the public.
DUTCH ERA
The plan of the town of Dutch Melaka that was drawn up in 1750.
A plan of the town of Melaka is drawn up in 1744, shows the town planning system of that time.
Replica of a Dutch Windmill. Built only recently to mark the renewed relationship between the people of Melaka and the Netherlands.
The roofless ruin of St Paul’s Church now houses the empty grave of St Francis Xavier and the tombstones of the Dutchmen.
The roofless ruin of St Paul’s Church.
A Plaque that bears testimony of the Dutch occupation of Melaka.
This is a portrait of Admiral Pieter Willemz Verhoeff who attacked the Portuguese fortress in Melaka in 1608 with the assistance of Johor. However, Johor was forced to withdraw, leaving Verhoeff to take Melaka without support. Despite killing the Portuguese admiral and a number of his men in the battlefield, Verhoeff failed to capture Melaka.
launched the first Dutch attack against the Portuguese in 1606. His siege on the fortress of Melaka was unsuccessful.
Dutch Graveyard
Eridia’s plan of the Melaka Town in 1613. Note the Air Leleh River located south of St Paul’s Church was still flowing then.
Coins of various denominations used throughout the Dutch empire during the 18th Century.
The Dutch attack led by Matelieff on the Portuguese fortress in Melaka in 1608.
The Dutch used a new tactic to attack the Portuguese in 1606. They did not use the old tactic of attacking from either the north or the south. They destroyed the Portuguese ships in harbour and landed at the Bandar Hilir field, but this attack was unsuccessful.
A view of the Stadthuys as depicted by a French artist. Note the original design of the building and the fashion of the people at that time.
THE STADTHUYS
The Stadthuys which means the municipal town hall was built by the Dutch during the 1960’s after having taken over from the Portuguese in 1641.
It was built in 4 stories on a terrace of St. Paul’s hill covering 49,200 sq. feet in area. It had been the Governor’s residence until as early as the 18th century. It was also the Dutch Administrative Centre until 1824. Why, even the British made this building for their administrative centre too. The Stadthuys continued to be the State Governing Centre until the end of 1979. The original colour of this building was white. It was changed to red during the 1820’s and then came to be known as ‘The Red Building’ to date.
Although it had been renovated many times during the regime of British, the artistic design of the Dutch of the thick brick walls and big windows and doors has been maintained. Just beneath the floors a superb drainage system that flows back into the Melaka’s river had been constructed. In the Governor’s office, there is a hand carved flowerpot made from real hardwood. A huge bread toaster is situated at the back of the building proved that many visitors who flocked there. The Governor’s bedroom found on the top most floors is very spacious and decorated with Chinese Mythology arts. There is also a prison further down the vicinity.
Conservation works of the Stadthuys were made in 1985 by the Public Works Department and took almost 4 years to complete. Strange components and antiques were found during this period of renovation including wells built of sea stones. On the exterior another well was also discovered beneath the building. It is believed that both these wells were dug for use during the Portuguese occupation. Another well built by the Dutch and also building site adjacent to the Stadthuys was also found behind the building. A pool and a pathway were found when demolition works were undertaken against new extension to the building. Whatever was unearthed during this renovation period has been displayed in the State Museum for the public.
The History of "The Stadthuys"
After the siege the Dutch started to repair the damaged walls and bastions. They built another half bastion beside the sea next to the rive, which they called "Middleburgh". All the damaged Portuguese churches were demolished, except St. Paul's church on top of the hill. This was repaired and used by the Dutch for their own services. The house of the Portuguese governor was also badly damaged. This was situated on the slope of the hill next to the old fortress "A Famosa". It is almost certain that the Dutch used the same spot to build a new governor's house which is know as the Stadthuys.
The "Stadthuys" is called "The Governor's House", and on its left-hand side is the house of the deputy, who is called the "second". The storage buildings had only one floor at that time. On the righthand side is the "Misericordia" or slave-house with some warehouses and the tower. There are few details shown of the front of the Stadthuys although it clearly shows the steps to be rather small and situated along the front. Neither is the rear or the building very clear, but one van recognise two rectangular buildings. These probably represent the current wings. In the court there is a small tower, which may have been a covered well.
