MELAKA: An exhibition showcasing legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah has attracted close to 10,000 people over the past two weeks since it first opened on June 10, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
The Melaka Chief Minister said the exhibition that is currently being held at Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh here is compartmentalised into various segments, among others, on the life of Hang Tuah, a collection of manuscripts and artefacts relating to the warrior.
"These relics were sourced from Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand as well as keris (Malay draggers) from Okinawa Museum in Japan," he said on Monday (June 24).
Ab Rauf said visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a replica of "Peca de Malaca'', a matching cannon gifted by King Calicut of India to the Melaka Sultanate during the Portuguese attacks as well as fresh historical pieces on Hang Tuah obtained from Europe, Japan, China, India, Indonesia and Thailand.
"We have registered 1,200 students and 75 teachers from 23 schools throughout the state visiting the exhibition since June 10. Popular actors like Remy Ishak, Zul Huzaiamy and Fattah Amin had also not missed out on the opportunity to check out the exhibits," he said.
He also noted that the artefacts and documents related to Hang Tuah are not only displayed to visitors as part of the Melaka Visit Year 2024 (TMM2024) campaign but also to nurture the interest of the younger generation in the history of Hang Tuah.
In an earlier interview with The Star, Ab Rauf said his administration was unfazed by criticisms of its effort to promote and honour Hang Tuah.
"My intention is to relive the history of Melaka and market it as an intriguing tourism product and Hang Tuah is significant.
"There were records of him throughout the globe and we made an effort to bring the history alive," he then said.
Ab Rauf said solid evidence of Hang Tuah's existence is carved in Okinawan records where three letters were personally delivered to the Kingdom of Ryukyu in Japan when the Melaka Sultanate flourished as a global trading hub in the 15th century.
He also said the validity and existence of Hang Tuah had also been proven by the Vijayanagar Empire of South India.
"Hence, there is no doubt that Hang Tuah became the symbol and epitome of the Melaka Sultanate then," he added.
