History of Melaka in text books may be rewritten based on new findings

The history of Melaka in school text books may have to be rewritten based on new findings by the Malaysian Institute of Historical and Patriotic Studies (IKSEP).

IKSEP general manager Datuk Aziz Ujang said the findings were made based on the studies of the institute which was in the process of completing eight volumes of Malaysian National History Book, which were now 80 percent completed.

He said the history of the glory of Melaka was referred 100 years before the fall of the empire in 1511 but through the new IKSEP study, it actually started much earlier in 1262.

Speaking at a media conference here today, Aziz said he would meet Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on the matter.

Earlier Aziz opened the state level 2014 Patriotic Youth Friends Camp at the Nasuha National Service Training Camp in Pagoh on Tuesday.

Aziz said the first four volumes of the book, which costed RM4 million, would be launched in November.

He said it was the product of a five-year study involving 18 national history experts, including from University Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

He said the sources of the book were based on records, documents, Malay and Chinese tales, including archives, museums and historical centres especially in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.