Malaysia 2014 Malay Folk Stories

60sen • Hang Tuah

Hang Tuah is an epic that transcend time.  He is believed to have been born in Kampung Sungai Duyong, Malacca and had served during the reign of Malacca Sultanate in the 16^th century.  His exploits along with this four childhood friends and comrades : Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu, were colourfully chronicled in the epic Sejarah Melayu and Hikayat Hang Tuah.

Hang Tuah’s mastery of the Malay silat and his unfaltering loyalty towards his Sultan elevated his standing as one of the most notable Laksamana.  His undeniable prowess has enable Malacca to reach the pinnacle of its influence and strengthened political ties with major powers like china.  On one fateful visit to Majapahit, Hang Tuah emerged victor from a brutal duel with Pendekar Tamang Sari where he was bestowed with the Keris Taming Sari, a legendary weapon purported to possess magical powers, which has since remained part of the Malays Sultanate’s heritage.

60sen • Tun Teja

Tun Teja was the only daughter of Bendahara Seri Amar Diraja of Pahang.  Her incomparable beauty and refined grace became the source of admiration and adoration by many.  Upon hearing of her beauty, the Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mahmud Shah who had just lost his consort, sent a delegation to Pahang to ask for her hand in marriage.  The marriage proposal was turned down as Tun Teja was already betrothed to Megat Panji Alam, so of the Sultan of Terengganu.  The Malacccan delegation managed to persuade Tun Teja to follow them to Malacca whee she eventually married the Sultan and became his most beloved wife until her death. 

 60sen • Mahsuri

Mqahsuri was the daughter of a Siamese couple, Pandak Maya and Mak Andam who was born in the 18^th century in Kampung Ulu Melaka in Langkawi.  Beautiful and graceful, Mahsuri was married to Wan Derus, a warrior and brother to the chieftain of the island, Datuk Pekerma Jaya Wan Yahya.  When Wan Derus was called to defend Kedah against Siam, Mahsuri gave birth to their son Wan Hakim.  Wan Yahya’s wife, Wan Mahara, who has harboured hatred and bitter jealousy towards Mahsuri, accused her of committing adultery with Deramang.  Datuk Pekerma Jaya sentence them both to death.  At Padang Matsirat, Mahsuri was tied to a tree and attempts upon attempts to execute her failed until she asked to be stabbed with her family’s keris.  As proof of her innocence, white blood flowed from her wound.  In her dying breath, Mahsuri cursed that Langkawi will face misfortunes for 7 generations to come.

60sen • Merong Mahawangsa

 According to the epic Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, the lineage and legacy of the Kedah Sultanate can be traced to a Hindu ruler from the Raman Empire named Merong Mahawangsa, who is said to be a descendent of Alexander the Great.  When his royal fleet en route to China was attacked, he seeks refuge on a land which he later subjugated and proclaimed as Langkasuka to be a new settlement.  Merong Mahawangsa return to Rome and crowned his eldest son, Raja Merong Mahapudisat as ruler of Langkasuka, which was later renamed Kedah Zamin Turan.  His bloodline become the Sovereign of Kedah, Siam, Gangga Negara, Patani and Siam Selatan, and established one of the first kingdoms in the Malay Peninsular.  Raja Phra Ong Mahapudisat, the 6^th generation of Merong Mahawangsa became the first Malay king to embrace Islam and change his name to Sultan Mudzafar Shah, the first Sultan of Kedah.

60sen • Tun Kudu

Tun Kudu was the daughter of Tun Perpatih Serdang, BNendahara Seri Wak Raja of Melaka.  The significance and sacrifice of Tun Kudu in shaping the polical landscape and upholding peace of the Kingdom are chronicled in the Sejarah Melayu when she first became the wife of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, and later consented to a divorce in order to be married off to Seri Nara Diraja Tun Ali, who was also the Sultan’s uncle.  The marriage between Tun Kudu and Tun Ali dissolved the feud and animosity between Tun Ali and Tun Perak, who was  Tun Kudu’s brother.  Tun Kudu’s greater role however, was in the appointment of Tun Perak as Bendehara Seri Paduka Raja, the most prominent and influential Bendahara whom have shaped and given rise to the Malaccan empire for 40 years serving under 4 sultans.

 60sen • Tun Fatimah

Tun Fatimah was the fdaughter of Bendahara Seri Maharaja Tun Mutahir, and a descendent of Tun Kudu.  The Sultan of Malacca at the time, Sultan Mahmud was so enamoured by her beauty even though he was married to Tun Ali.  Maligned by hearsay, her entire family was executed by order of the Sultan , including her father the Bendahara and her husband Tun Ali.  To atone to his mistake, Sultan Mahmud married her and loved her dearly.  During the fall of the Malacca Empire to the Portuguese, which forced Sultan Mahmud to flee to Johor, Pahang, Bentan and Kampar, Tun Fatimah fought alongside her Sultan in an efford to resume control over Malacca.  Her bravery elevated her standing in the eyes of the people and further encouraged the ruler in his quest.  Her son, Raja Ali was later crowned Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II and installed to the throne in old Johor.

Technical Details

Value: 60sen x 3 designs (Setenant)

Stamp size: 40mm x 30mm

Sheet Content: 20 stamps

Paper: Phosphor Coated, Security Stamp Paper

Printing Process: Litography

Perforation: 14

Stamp Designer: Hazel Design Sdn Bhd

Printer: Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Date of Issue:

27-Oct-2014