New stamp series celebrates Malaysia's ancient manuscripts, literary classics

Pos Malaysia's latest stamp series 'Warisan Persuratan Negara' celebrates prominent works that are recognised as national literary classics and documentary heritage collections in Malaysia. Photo: Pos Malaysia

Bibliophiles and history lovers are in for a treat with Pos Malaysia's latest stamp series Warisan Persuratan Negara, which celebrates prominent works that are recognised as national literary classics and documentary heritage collections.

These special edition stamps, featuring Jawi script, include towering works such as Hikayat Hang Tuah (60sen), Batu Bersurat Terengganu (Inscribed Stone Of Terengganu, 90sen), Surat-Surat Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah (Correspondence Of The Late Sultan Of Kedah, RM1.30) and Sulalatus Salatin (Sejarah Melayu, or The Malay Annals, first day cover).

Hikayat Hang Tuah (author unknown), regarded as a traditional Malay epic, tells the story of legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah and his four warrior friends - Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu - who lived during the height of the Sultanate of Melaka in the 15th century. This folk tale has been proudly recounted to generations of Malaysians, and is well-known in Malay Archipelago history. Many studies have been made on this manuscript by local and foreign researchers.

The first day cover envelope features the literary classic 'Sulalatus Salatin' ('Sejarah Melayu', or 'The Malay Annals'). Photo: Pos Malaysia

Surat-Surat Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, a royal document collection (1882-1943) from the state of Kedah, is unique in that they constitute the only available evidence of the Sultanate prior to the advent of Western-style colonialism. The records have a universal appeal in that they portray a Malay state in transition, dealing with colonial powers (the British), while focusing on matters such as social change, economics, politics, foreign relations, education, religion and customs.

The postcard featured in the 'Warisan Persuratan Negara' folder series. Photo: Pos Malaysia

The Batu Bersurat Terengganu constitutes the earliest evidence of Jawi writing (writing based on Arabic alphabets) in South-East. The stone tablet is a testimony to the spread of Islam, offering an insight to the life of the people of the era as well as depicting the growing Islamic culture subsumed under a set of religious laws.

Sulalatus Salatin gathers the history of the Melaka Sultanate in the 15th and early 16th century. They are in the nature of what may be termed as historical literature conveying a historical narration on the origins, evolution and demise of a great Malay maritime empire, with its unique system of government, administration and politics.

A look at the 'Warisan Persuratan Negara' stamp series. Photo: Pos Malaysia

All these Malay manuscripts and documentary heritage collections are part of Unesco’s Memory of the World Programme international register (submissions were made in 2001 and 2009).

Pos Malaysia's folder set for Warisan Persuratan Negara includes: three stamp sheets (10 pieces of 60sen, 90sen and RM1.30 stamps on each sheet), one first day cover with stamps (FOC leaflet), one postcard (matt lamination) and one folder (die-cut, embossed and spot UV).

More info here.