A LECTURER from an Indonesian university in Medan has challenged Raja Noor Jan Shah Raja Tuah, claimant to the Malacca Sultanate, to test the authenticity of his Taming Sari keris.
According to Kosmo!, Dr Mohammad Idrus Abu Hanifah of Universitas Pembinaan Masyarakat Indonesia said there was only one Taming Sari keris, and it has been kept by the Sultanate of Perak since the olden days.
“Raja Noor Jan should take his keris to Perak to compare it with the real Taming Sari keris there to prove its authenticity.
“The Taming Sari keris has its own magical powers and I can prove it if the Sultan gives his permission,” he said.
Dr Mohammad Idrus added that another way to distinguish the real keris from a fake was through the material used to make it.
He said the real keris would also enable the person holding it to be good in silat, even if he was not skilled in the martial art.
However, Dr Mohammad Idrus did not deny the possibility that Raja Noor Jan’s keris could be the Majapahit king’s keris or that of Patih Gaja Mada.
Late last year, Raja Noor Jan came forward with his claim that he was an heir to the Malacca Sultanate, saying that he had the regal artefacts to back his claims.
Harian Metro reported that the widespread use of rojak language at official functions, in the media and even in advertising clearly reflected the attitude of Malays who did not appreciate their own heritage.
Melora Gallery cultural arts adviser Dr Siti Zainon Ismail said this should not happen as Bahasa Melayu was rich in expressions imbued with cultural values.
“We have beautiful terms like persiaran, lebuh perdana and siar kaki. Why do we want to use a Western word such as precinct?” she said.
The former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer added that if clarification was needed, people could always refer to cultural texts and language experts.
“Bahasa Melayu is a national heritage which should be preserved,'' she added.
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