Was Hang Tuah a real person?

Our appetite for fantasy is a reflection of our need to reinvent the past. In doing so we bring hope into our present. Moral integrity, loyalty to our leaders, abiding by the law and defending the weak, form the cornerstone of how Hang Tuah's legend has been defined through the centuries. Nevertheless, the lack of primary sources, and embellishment of stories about Hang Tuah in secondary sources, led some to believe that he had never existed as a real person. 

Historians agree that the Sultanate of Malacca and its palace near the Malacca river did exist. See: 

1. The Real Location of Malacca Found?

2. Pelabuhan Kesultanan Melayu Melaka

'Pelabuhan Melaka, c.1480' by Ismail Embong (1987).

Historians also agree that local sources pertaining to the existence of Hang Tuah are secondary, compiled from memory and folklore and subsequently collated and published some 200 years after the actual event.

Firstly, there is the Hikayat Hang Tuah (Hang Tuah's Saga) of which text is believed to have existed before the 1700s. The actual manuscript is dated 1849 and it was first published in 1908, edited by Sulaiman bin Muhammed Nur and William Shellabear. It contains embellishment of stories about Hang Tuah where the warrior is described as having super-human and mystical powers.

Secondly, there is the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) or Sulalatus Salatin written by Tun Sri Lanang around 1612. In Sejarah Melayu, Hang Tuah is mentioned in 19 out of its 28 chapters. Arguably Sejarah Melayu gives a more realistic account of Hang Tuah. Despite containing some myths and embellishments, it does contain some useful historical facts. One of them would be the fact that ‘Hang Tuah’ is not the real name of the legendary warrior. Instead, his real name was Daeng Mempawah and he was born in the district of Bajeng in Gowa, Makassar. It is written that when he was 12, he was sent by his father, a Raja of Bajeng, to Malacca to be trained as a soldier during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah. It was Sultan Mansur Shah who gave Daeng Mempawah the nickname Hang Tuah.

Was Hang Tuah a real person?

We should not be blindsided by the argument of unreliability of local sources as we can always cross-refer with foreign sources. Thus, we should not shy away from using it to support primary and contemporaneous sources.

I personally think that Hang Tuah was a real person. Perhaps stories of heroism about him was combined with stories of person/s who held the post of Laksamana. I believe that the deeds of the following Laksamanas became known in time as the deeds of Hang Tuah:

1) Laksamana 'Wei-zhe-ran-na' (Sang Bija Ratna?) who led Malacca's tribute envoy to China in April 1469. (source: Ming’s History i.e. Ming Shi-Lu (MSL) as translated by Geoff Wade, 1994).

Clues:

(a) The title "Duan-ya-ma-la-di-na-da" (端亞媽剌的那大) is used to describe 'Wei-zhe-ran-na' in MSL. I believe it refers to 'Tuan Laksamana Di Raja';

(b) Records of his untimely death in Annam (now in Vietnam) can only be found in MSL. Therefore most Malaccans were unaware of the news of his murder that occurred on his return journey.

2) The unnamed Laksamana who led Malacca's tribute envoy to China in August 1481 (source: MSL);

Clues:

(a) "Duan-ya-ma-la-di-na-zha" ( 端亞媽剌的那查) to describe him in MSL which I believe to be 'Tuan Laksamana DiRaja';

(b) Laksamana Daeng Mempawah as referred to in Tun Sri Lanang's Sejarah Melayu fits the time frame;

(c) The eloquent and diplomatic characteristics of the Laksamana referred to in the 1481 visit to China (MSL) is reflected in the tribute & diplomatic exchanges between the Sultanate of Malacca and Ryukyuan Kingdom around 1480-81 as recorded in Rekidai Hoan (based on its translation by Atushu Kobata & Mitsugi Matsada (1969)). A few letters were recorded to be personally issued by the unnamed Laksamana. See: Laksamana Melaka di Istana Ming, Laksamana Melaka di Istana Ryukyu & Peranan 'Hang Tuah' Dalam Kes Pertikaian Melaka - Annam.

d) possibly the same unnamed Laksamana is referred to as “Duan Ya-zhi” (MSL: Tuan Haji) who led Malacca’s tribute envoy to China in 1508 (source: MSL). In Hikayat Hang Tuah, Laksamana Hang Tuah and Maharaja Setia were recorded to have performed Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. Perhaps the 1508 trip to China was made after completing his pilgrimage. See: Kisah Hang Tuah Menunaikan Haji.

3) Laksamana Hang Nadim (Source: Sejarah Melayu).

Clue:

Overlapping identity i.e. Sejarah Melayu recorded that it was Laksamana Hang Nadim who 'kidnapped' Tun Teja and battled Pahang's chase at Pulau Keban (now Pulau Aceh) in Endau, Mersing. According to Hikayat Hang Tuah, it was Hang Tuah who pursuaded Tun Teja to elope to Malacca.

Was Hang Tuah a Chinese?

I do not think so. Records in MSL pertaining to the visit of two Laksamanas in 1469 and 1481, as well as Duan Ya-zhi (MSL: Tuan Haji) (1508) indicates they were described as fan [foreign] people. I believe that the following envoy leaders as recorded by MSL as “Melaka Affiliation” were local Malaccans:

1. Bai-li-mi-su-la (拜里迷蘇剌) (Parameswara) (1405);
2. A-bu-la Jia-xin (阿卜剌賈信) (1409);
3. Bai-li-mi-su-la (拜里迷蘇剌)(Parameswara) (1411);
4. Xi-li Sa-ma-lan-zha-ya (西里撒麻剌扎牙) the nephew of Bai-li-mi-su-la (Parameswara) (1412);
5. Sai-di-la-zhe (賽的剌者), nephew of Bai-li-mi-su-la (Parameswara) (1413);
6. Mu-wo Sa-yu-di-er Sha (Megat Iskandar Shah) son of Bai-li-mi-su-la (Parameswara) (1414);
7. Sa-li-wang-la-zha (撒里汪剌查), younger brother of Mu-gan Sa-yu-er Sha (Megat Iskandar Shah) (1418);
8. Duan-gu Ma-la-shi-di (段姑麻剌什的) (Tuanku …?) (1420);
9. Xi-li Ma-ha-la-zhe (西哩麻哈剌者) (Sri Maharaja Muhammad Shah) (1424);
10. Na-la-die-ba-na (那剌迭扒那) (1424);
11. Yi-si-ma (一思馬) (MSL: Ismail) (1426);
12. Xi-li Ma-ha-la-zhe (西哩麻哈剌者) (Sri Maharaja Muhammad Shah) (1433 & 1434);
13. La-dian Ba-la (剌殿把剌) (MSL: Raden…) younger brother of Xi-li Ma-ha-la-zhe (Sri Maharaja Muhammad Shah) (1435);
14. Mo-jia-zhe-la-zhe Man-da-li (末加者剌吒滿達利) (MSL: Megat DiRaja Menteri?) (1439);
15. Song-na-di-la-ye ( 宋那的剌那) (Sri Nara Di Raja?) (1444);
16. Mo-zhe-na (謨者那) (1445);
17. Ma-na-hong (馬哪吽) (1455);
18. Duan-ma-gu Ling-ding (端麻古凌釘)(1455);
19. Su-dan Mang-su Sha (蘇丹茫速沙)(Sultan Mansur Shah) (1459):
20. Ba-la-si (八剌思) (1468);
21. Duan-ya-ma-la-di-na-da Wei-zhe-ran-na (Tuan Laksamana DiRaja (Sang Bija Ratna?))(1469);
22. Duan-ya-ma-la-di-na-zha (端亞媽剌的那查) (Tuan Laksamana DiRaja) (1481)
23. Duan Ya-zhi (端亞智) (MSL: Tuan Haji) (1508).

According to MSL, Malacca did have Chinese tribute envoy leaders and categorized as “Chinese affliation” in MSL which are as follows:-

1. Wu-bao-chi-na (巫寶赤納) (1431);
2. Nai Ai (柰靄) (1456). He was recorded to have committed rape in Guangdong and subsequently committed suicide;
3. Huo-zhe Ya-liu (火者亞劉) originally named Xiao Ming-ju (蕭明舉) who was an interpreter for Duan Ya-zhi (Tuan Haji) and later worked in Malacca. Huo-zhe Ya-liu became Malaccan envoy leader for 1509 & 1510. MSL recorded that he was involved in criminal rebellion, murdered Duan Ya-zhi (Tuan Haji) and the Malaccan delegates, and was sentenced to death by slow slicing. See: Di Manakah Hang Tuah Ketika Melaka Diserang Portugis?

Hang Tuah or Hang Tua?

I do agree with the proposition that "Tuah" in "Hang Tuah", at the time when stories about him were written, did not mean "luck". This is so as the 17th & 18th century Malay word for "luck" was "oontoong". See extract from 'A Dictionary: English and Malayo, Malayo and English' (1701) by Thomas Bowrey.

Although I agree that the word ‘Tuah’ in ‘Hang Tuah’ means ‘elder’ or ‘old’ (Malay: Tua) (Jawi: توه ), the original pronounciation and transliteration for the word was "Tooah". See extract from Thomas Bowrey's dictionary:

According to James Howison in 'A dictionary of the Malay tongue, as spoken in the Peninsula of Malacca, the islands of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Pulo Pinang' (1801), "Tooah" was the transliteration of the Jawi word " تواه " as well as " توه ". See extract of James Howison’s dictionary:

The ‘Father of Modern Malay Literature’, Munshi Abdullah, in his book 'Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah ke Kelantan' (1832), transliterated the same word to "Tuah" which connotes the meaning of “ketua” (leader), as well as “tua” (old, aged or elder). See extract below:

I would therefore argue that “Tooah” (subsequently spelt “Tuah”) is the actual pronounciation of the Malay word for “elder” and “aged” and definitely not an error made during transliteration or as an attempt to suit the European tongue. As such, there is no necessity to change Hang Tuah’s name to "Hang Tua", "Hang Tuha", "Hang Toh" or "Hang Toha".

The existence of a new meaning i.e. luck for "Tuah", and the introduction of a new spelling i.e. "Tua" to replace "Tooah" or "Tuah" / " توه " or " تواه " should not corrupt the original pronounciation of the proper noun specifically given to the Laksamana of Malacca by both famous works of literature.

In my view, the etymology of the word "Tuah" (meaning: luck) originated from folklore and literature based on Hang Tuah which is synonymous with his position as Laksamana DiRaja (Royal Admiral). As a result of the portrayal of his bravery, diplomacy, loyalty, multilingual skills, and super-human abilities, he is considered to be “lucky” or “fortunate” by the 19th century readership to such an extent the word “Tuah” itself developed into a second meaning i.e. ‘luck’ or ‘lucky’ (Malay: ‘tuah’ or ‘bertuah’).  Further, the prefix "Laksamana" itself originates from the Sanskrit word "लक्ष्मण" (lakSmaNa) which means “lucky” or “he who has the signs of fortune”. Whilst the Sanskrit word “लक्ष्मन्” (Laksman) means "chief".  This, I believe, reinforced the linguistic development of the second meaning (luck) for the word “Tuah”, and its interchangeability with the meaning of the word "ketua" (chief or leader).

Conclusion

I believe we cannot be sure of everything in history. Human memories recorded in folklore and historical literature could be completely false, and often are. However, we can get pretty close. Some events, like our Malaysia Day and the exit of Singapore from Malaysia have so much well documented evidence that we can have as close to full certainty as is possible on them.  Other events, like the existence of Laksamana Hang Tuah or the history of SriVijaya and Kedah Tua, have almost no contemporary evidence of their existence. However, we can still be reasonably sure they did exist based on secondary and non-contemporary sources that line up with other things.

Sources:

1. The Ming Shi-lu (veritable records of the Ming Dynasty) as a source for Southeast Asian history, 14th to 17th centuries, Geoffrey Wade (1994).

2. Ryukyuan Relations with Korea and South Seas Countries: An Annotated Translation of Documents in the Rekidai Hōan. Kobata, Atsushi and Mitsugu Matsuda (1969)

3. Mao Qiling. Mansi hezhi [A Comprehensive Record of the Aboriginal Chieftains]. Taipei: Guangwen Shuju, (1968).

4. Sejarah Melayu diusahakan oleh W.G. Shellabear, Fajar Bakti, (1978).

5. Hikayat Hang Tuah, Kassim Ahmad (ed.), Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1975.

6.  'A Dictionary: English and Malayo, Malayo and English' (1701) by Thomas Bowrey.

7.  'A dictionary of the Malay tongue, as spoken in the Peninsula of Malacca, the islands of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Pulo Pinang' (1801) by James Howison.

8. 'Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah ke Kelantan' (1832), by Munshi Abdullah.

9. Spoken Sanskrit:  http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=laksmana&direct=au&anz=100

This article is adapted from my answer in Quora titled 'Was Hang Tuah a real person?', August 2019. 

Wong Ah Fook (1837-1918)

On 11.4.2014, the Johor government announced its intention to turn a 150-year-old mansion at Jalan Lumba Kuda in Johor Bahru into a heritage and cultural museum. On 30.4.2014 the mansion, located on a 2.5-acre private land valued at RM30 million, was demolished by its current owners on the grounds that it was "structurally unsafe". As the mansion was not gazetted as a heritage building, nothing could be legally done to stop the demolition except to penalize the owners for not having a permit to develop, renovate or demolish under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963.

Wong Ah Fook (c. 1900) (Source: National Museum of Singapore)

Wong Ah Fook's mansion at Jalan Lumba Kuda (Source: The Star Newspaper)

Watercolor painting of Wong Ah Fook's mansion by Taib Aur (Source: ppunlimited.blogspot.com)

Demolition process conducted on the account of it being structurally unsafe. (Source: The Star Newspaper)

Entire building reduced to debris. (Source: The Star Newspaper)

Wong Ah Fook, who once lived at the said mansion, was a well known businessman and philanthropist with business interests in Singapore as well as Johor. A classic rags-to-riches example of many successful Chinese immigrants, Wong came to Singapore in 1854 as an indentured labourer to a carpenter. After working for a year at nominal wages, Wong was free but continued to work with his employer and was given a share of the business after a few years.

He established himself in the constructions business and then ventured into agriculture, revenue farming, gambling, banking and land development. His hard work and enterprising spirit paid off, making him a successful, influential businessman who developed close links with the Johor Sultanate. He was appointed as the government contractor for the construction of many iconic buildings which includes Istana Bukit Zaharah & Balai Zaharah in 1858, Istana Besar Johor in 1866, and the Johor Bahru Prison in 1883. 

Aerial view of Istana Besar Johor taken by G.E. Livlock on 15.5.1924

Around 1885, Wong became a close friend of Fatimah Binti Abdullah (a.k.a. Wong Ah Gew), the third wife of Maharaja Abu Bakar (later Sultan Abu Bakar) probably on the account their common surname and their same dialect group. Wong was also the main contractor for Istana Tyersall in Singapore which he completed in 1892.

Photograph of Istana Tyersall taken by Dr. J. Baum & R. Baum on 21.11.1929.

In 1892, Wong was granted a 99-year lease for 10 lots of land by Sultan Abu Bakar on the east bank of Sungai Segget as a reward for his services. Named Kampung Wong Ah Fook, the main road in the kampung was named Jalan Wong Ah Fook, while three other smaller roads, namely Jalan Siu Nam, Jalan Siu Koon, and Jalan Siu Chin, were named after Wong's three eldest sons. The area became a prominent Cantonese-dominant area and is now the city centre of Johor Bahru, with all the four roads still existing today.  In 1904, Sultan Ibrahim I honoured Wong with pingat Setia Mahkota Johor (SMJ - Companion) in recognition of his services to the State.  

In Singapore, he was known as one of the original founders of the Kwong Wai Siew Chinese Hospital (now Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital). He was also appointed as a Justice of the Peace for the British Colonial Government.

Kwong Wai Siew Chinese Hospital c. 1920s (Ministry of Health, Singapore)

Wong's most ambitious undertaking and probably his proudest achievement was opening up the first Chinese bank in Singapore known as Kwong Yik Bank (literally means “Cantonese profiting bank”). The bank started its operation at 26 Kling Street in 1903. (Note: This bank is not to be confused with the 1913 Kwong Yik (Selangor) Banking Corporation which merged to form RHB Bank Berhad in 1997).

Kwong Yik Banking Company's office at Kling Street, Singapore, c. 1906 (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya, 1908)

Nevertheless, despite a paid-up capital of $850,000, the banking venture led to Wong's greatest disaster and brought him close to grief as it subsequently collapsed in November 1913 due to financial difficulties, resulting in a bank run. As a result, the British Colonial Government amended the Companies Bill in 1915 in order to safeguard the interests of depositors by restricting advances from banks to their directors and officers.

In August 1918, when severe Spanish Flu epidemic hit Singapore, Wong contracted influenza which developed into pneumonia, to which he succumbed. On 2.9.1918, Wong died at the age of 82 at his residence in Kampong Java Road, Singapore. He was buried at Peck San Theng Cantonese Cemetery. 

Sources:

1) National Library Board, Singapore.

2) National Museum of Singapore.

3) Trustees of Wong Ah Fook's Estate

4) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Ah_Fook

5) 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources" Arnold Wright, H. A. Cartwright, Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Co. Ltd., 1908. 

Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu

Klip filem ini adalah dirakam semasa sambutan ketibaan Putera Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1900-1974), ke Tanah Melayu. Duke of Gloucester mewakili anak saudaranya iaitu Ratu Elizabeth untuk hadir di upacara Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu. Baginda diiringi Princess Alice (1901-2004) dan putera mereka Prince William (1941-1972). Rombongan DiRaja Britain tersebut membawa Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu (ڤمشهوران كمرديكاءن تانه ملايو) ("Instrument / Declaration of Independence").

Rombongan DiRaja Britain ini telah tiba di Pengkalan Udara Kuala Lumpur di Sungai Besi pada pukul 4 petang, 29.8.1957. 

Ketibaan Putera Henry telah disambut oleh Pesuruhjaya Tinggi British di Tanah Melayu, Sir Donald Charles MacGillivray dan Lady MacGillivray, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tanah Melayu yang pertama, Tuanku Abdul Rahman diiringi Raja Permaisuri Agong dan Perdana Menteri Tanah Melayu yang pertama, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Pada 30.8.1957 tepat pukul 12.00 tengah malam, upacara menurunkan bendera Union Jack telah diadakan di Padang Kelab Selangor bagi menandakan berakhirnya lebih kurang 170 tahun penjajahan British di Tanah Melayu. Bendera Persekutuan Tanah Melayu telah dinaikkan bagi menggantikan bendera Union Jack.

Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu tersebut diperbuat berdasarkan penguatkuasaan 'Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957' iaitu sebuah Akta yang diluluskan oleh Parlimen British dan mendapat perkenan Ratu Elizabeth pada 31.7.1957. Ianya adalah kesinambungan dari Perjanjian Persekutuan Tanah Melayu 1948 yang merupakan hasil dari penentangan terhadap Malayan Union oleh kesatuan-kesatuan Melayu di bawah pimpinan Dato' Onn Jaafar. Ianya ditulis dalam dua bahasa iaitu Bahasa Melayu dengan menggunakan tulisan Jawi, dan juga dalam Bahasa Inggeris. 

Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu yang kini dipamirkan di Muzium Negara (Sumber: Wikipedia)

Salinan Permasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu cetakan 1957 milik Tuan Hj. Mohd Azlan bin Dato Mohd Sharif (Rujukan: FB Azlan Sharif)

Disertakan di sini kandungan teks Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan tersebut:

دڠن نام الله يڠ مها ڤموره لاڬي مڠاسيهاني، سڬالا ڤوجي باڬي الله يڠ مها بركواس دان صلوات دان سلام ك اتس سكالين رسول-ڽ

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe and may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon His Messengers.

بهاواسڽ كران تله تيباله ماسڽ باڬي اومت ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو اين منچاڤأي تارف سواتو بڠسا يڠ مرديك لاڬي بردولت سام ستيمڤل كدودوكنڽ دڠن سڬالا بڠسا سلوروه دنيا

Whereas the time has now arrived when the people of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu will assume the status of a free independent and sovereign nation among nations of the World.

دان بهاواسڽ كران دڠن ڤرجنجين يڠ دسبوت نامڽ ڤرجنجين تانه ملايو تاهون 1957 يڠ دڤربوات انتارا دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين دڠن دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج ملايو، مك، تله دڤرستوجوي بهاوا نڬري-نڬري ملايو، ايايت جوهر، ڤهڠ، نڬري سمبيلن، سلاڠور، قدح، ڤرليس، كلنتن، ترڠڬانو، دان ڤراق سرتا نڬري يڠ دهولوڽ ديناماكن نڬري سلت، ايايت ملاك دان ڤولاو ڤينڠ، مولاي 31 هاري بولن اوڬوس تاهون 1957، هندقله منجادي سبواه ڤرسكوتوان بهارو باڬي نڬري-نڬري يڠ برنام ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو

And whereas by an agreement styled the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1957, between Her Majesty the Queen and Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Malay States it was agreed that the Malay States of Johor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perak and the former Settlements of Malacca and Penang should as from the 31st day of August, 1957, be formed into a new Federation of States by the name of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.

دان بهاواسڽ كران تله برستوجو ڤولا انتارا كدوا-دوا ڤيهق دالم ڤرجنجين ترسبوت، ايايت ملاك دان ڤولاو ڤينڠ هندقله درڤد تاريخ ترسبوت ايت تمت درڤد منجادي سباهاڬين درڤد ججاهن تعلوق بڬيندا قوين، دان دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين تيدق لاڬي برحق منجالنكن اڤا٢ كدولتن بڬيندا ك اتس كدوا-دوا بواه نڬري يڠ ترسبوت ايت

And whereas it was further agreed between the parties to the said agreement that the Settlements of Malacca and Penang aforesaid should as from the said date cease to form part of Her Majesty’s dominions and that Her Majesty should cease to exercise any sovereignty over them.

دان بهاواسڽ كران تله برستوجو ڤولا انتارا كدوا-دوا ڤيهق يڠ ترسبوت، ايايت ڤرجنجين ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو تاهون 1948، دان سڬالا ڤرانجين يڠ لاين يڠ اد سكارڠ انتارا دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين دڠن دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج اتاوڤون ساله سأورڠ درڤد بڬيندا ايت سبلوم تاريخ يڠ ترسبوت هندقله دبطلكن مولاي درڤد تاريخ ايت، دان سموا كوات كواس دان حق دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين اتاوڤون ڤرليمين نڬري اونيتد كيڠدوم دالم نڬري-نڬري سلت اتاوڤون ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو سلوروهنڽ اداله تمت دڠن سنديريڽ 

And whereas it was further agreed by the parties aforesaid that the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1948, and all other agreements subsisting between Her Majesty the Queen and Their Highnesses the Rulers or any one of them immediately before the said date should be revoked as from the date and that all powers and jurisdiction of Her Majesty or of the Parliament of the United Kingdom in or in respect of the Settlements aforesaid or the Malay States or the Federation as a whole should come.

دان بهاواسڽ كران دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين، دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج ملايو، ڤرليمين نڬري اونيتد كيڠدوم دان مجليس-مجليس اوندڠن ڤرسكوتوان دان نڬري-نڬري ملايو تله ملولوسكنڽ، ڤرجنجين ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو تاهون 1957 ايت برجالن كوات كواساڽ

And whereas effect has been given to the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1957, by Her Majesty the Queen, Their Highnesses the Rulers, the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the Legislatures of the Federation and of the Malay States.

دان بهاواسڽ كران سواتو ڤرلمباڬان باڬي كراجأن ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو تله دتنتوكن منجادي سواتو كانون يڠ معتمد باڬيڽ

And whereas a constitution for the Government of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu has been established as the supreme law thereof.

دان بهاواسڽ كران ڤرلمباڬان ڤرسكوتوان يڠ ترسبوت ايت، مك، اد دسدياكن شرط اونتوق منجاڬ كسلامتن حق-حق دان كاوتامأن دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج سرتا حق-حق اساسي دان كبيبسن سكالين رعيت دان اونتوق مماجوكن ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو دڠن امان دان داماي سرتا تراتور سباڬاي سبواه كراجأن يڠ ممڤوڽاءي راج يڠ برڤرلمباڬان يڠ برداسركن ديموكراسي چارا ڤرليمين

And whereas by the Federal Constitution aforesaid provision is made to safeguard the rights and prerogatives of Their Highnesses the Rulers and the fundamental rights and liberties of the people and to provide for the peaceful and orderly advancement of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu as a constitutional monarchy based on Parliamentary democracy.

دان بهاواسڽ كران ڤرلمباڬان ڤرسكوتوان يڠ داداكن اوليه مجليس اوندڠن ڤرسكوتوان يڠ ترسبوت ايت تله دلولوسكن اوليه سواتو اوندڠ-اوندڠ يڠ داداكه اوليه مجليس اوندڠن ڤرسكوتوان سرتا دڠن اوندڠ-اوندڠ يڠ داداكن اوليه نڬري-نڬري ملايو دان دڠن كتتڤن-كتتڤن دالم مجليس اوندڠن نڬري ملاك دان ڤولاو ڤينڠ، دڠن دمكين ڤرلمباڬان ايت تله برجالن كوات كواساڽ ڤد 31 هاري بولن اوڬوس تاهون 1957

And whereas the Federal Constitution aforesaid having been approved by an Ordinance of the Federal Legislatures, by the Enactments of the Malay States and by resolutions of the Legislatures of Malacca and Penang has come into force on the 31st day of August 1957, aforesaid.

مك، دڠن نام الله يڠ مها ڤموره لاڬي مها مڠاسيهاني، ساي تونكو عبدالرحمن ڤوترا ابن المرحوم سلطان عبدالحميد حاليم شه، ڤردان منتري باڬي ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو، دڠن ڤرستوجوان دان ڤركنن دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج نڬري-نڬري ملايو دڠن اين ممشهوركن دان مڠيشتهاركن باڬي ڤيهق اومت ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو بهاوا مولاي تيڬ ڤولوه ساتو هاري بولن اوڬوس تاهون سريبو سمبيلن راتوس ليما ڤولوه توجوه، مك ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو يڠ مڠاندوڠي نڬري جوهر، ڤهڠ، نڬري سمبيلن، سلاڠور، قدح، ڤرليس، كلنتن، ترڠڬانو، ڤراق، ملاك دان ڤولاو ڤينڠ دڠن ليمڤه رحمة الله سبحانه وتعالى اكن ككل منجادي سبواه نڬارا يڠ مرديك دان بردولت سرتا برداسركن كبيبسن دان كعاديلن دان سنتياس منجاڬ دان مڠوتاماكن كسجهترأن دان كسنتوسان رعيتڽ دان مڠكلكن كامانن انتارا سڬالا بڠسا

Now, In the name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful, I Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, Prime Minister of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, with the concurrence and approval of Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Malay States do hereby proclaim and declare on behalf of the people of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu that as from the thirty first day of August, nineteen hundred and fifty seven, the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu comprising the States of Johor, Pahang, Negeri Semblian, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Malacca and Penang is and with Allah’s blessing shall be for ever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.

Lihat juga transliterasi Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan ke dalam Rumi.

Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan ini telah dibaca oleh YAM Tunku semasa upacara bersejarah yang diadakan di Stadium Merdeka pada pukul 9:30 pagi, 31.8.1957, dihadapan lebih kurang 20,000 rakyat Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, Raja-Raja Melayu, pemimpin-pemimpin luar negara dan dif-dif kehormat yang lain. Secara asasnya, pemasyhuran ini mengesahkan penubuhan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu yang bebas merdeka, berdaulat, dan berasaskan sistem Demokrasi Berparlimen di bawah pentadbiran Raja Berpelembagaan.  Ianya menggantikan pemerintahan British terhadap sembilan negeri-negeri Melayu lindungan British (British Protectorate), dan juga menggantikan pemerintahan kolonial British (British Colony) terhadap dua Negeri-Negeri Selat iaitu Melaka dan Pulau Pinang. 

Di akhir pemasyhuran tersebut, YAM Tunku telah melaungkan ‘MERDEKA’ sebanyak tujuh kali, di mana laungan keramat tersebut telah disambut dengan bergemuruh oleh rakyat yang hadir. Bendera Persekutuan Tanah Melayu telah dinaikkan dengan iringan Lagu Kebangsaan Negaraku yang buat pertama kalinya diperdengarkan secara rasmi. Diikuti pula selepas itu dengan seruan azan sebagai simbolik lahirnya sebuah negara baru dan diikuti tembakan meriam seratus satu das.

Sumber:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malayan_Declaration_of_Independence

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Merdeka

3. https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjanjian_Persekutuan_Tanah_Melayu_1948

4. https://ms.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemasyhuran_Kemerdekaan_Tanah_Melayu 

5. Imperial War Museums, UK.