What tree did Parameswara really see in Malacca?


IT is taken as a historical fact that Malacca was founded by Parameswara, who named it after the melaka tree. Parameswara, in the legendary account of the founding of Malacca, actually had no idea what the tree was.

He had seen a mouse deer kick one of his hunting dogs and, inspired by the fighting spirit of the mouse deer, he asked his followers “What is the name of the tree under which I am standing?” His followers replied “It is called melaka, your Highness”. Nobody said “Wait, let us check this out.”

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Business News

YTL’s Francis Yeoh, Eu Yan Sang’s Anne Eu receive lifetime achievement awards in London
Doubts over Viet reform drive
Leadership exodus tests Malaysia’s digital banks
Capitalising on the tourism momentum
South African beauty market gets makeover
Navigating Fed uncertainty
Indonesia MSCI alert sends ripples to Malaysia
Chinese tea chains pour into US
Blazing a trail for fire safety
Bond buys fall flat

Others Also Read