Hang Tuah

A bronze sculpture of Hang Tuah with Ta' Melayu Hilang Di-Dunia written at the top. Exhibited at the National History Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Hang Tuah is a legendary Malay warrior/hero who lived during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah of the Sultanate of Malacca in the 15th century. He was the greatest of all the laksamana, or sultan's admirals, and was known to be a ferocious fighter. Hang Tuah is held in the highest regard, even in present-day Malaysian Malay culture, and is arguably the most well-known and illustrious warrior figure in Malaysian history and literature.

Hang Tuah the Legend

Hang Tuah is famous for quoting the words "Takkan Melayu Hilang di Dunia" which literally means "Malays will never vanish from the face of the earth" or "Never shall the Malay(s) (race) vanish from the face of the earth". The quote is a famous rallying cry for Malay nationalism.

He remains an extremely popular Malay legend, embodying the values of Malay culture at the time, when allegiance and loyalty were paramount above all else. The Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat story, whether completely true or not, represents a paradox in the Malay psyche about loyalty and justice, and remains a point of debate among students of Malay history and literature.

Hang Tuah in Media

Hang Tuah is a prominent legendary figure in Malaysia's popular culture and his story has been adapted into several movies. The more famous of these movies include Hang Tuah, starring the late P. Ramlee in the titular role, and Puteri Gunung Ledang, which starred M. Nasir as Hang Tuah. In 1995, XX Ray 2, a film by Aziz M. Osman was made and tells about modern scientists were sent back in Hang Tuah's era. In the film, Hang Tuah (played by Jalaluddin Hassan) got the quote Takkan Melayu Hilang Di Dunia from one of the scientists from future (played by Aziz M. Osman).

Places and things named after Hang Tuah

In Malaysia

• Four roads in Malaysia are named after Hang Tuah: Jalan Hang Tuah in Ipoh, Jalan Hang Tuah in Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Hang Tuah in Malacca, and Jalan Hang Tuah in Taman Khalidi Bharu, Muar, Johor
• The Royal Malaysian Navy has a frigate named KD Hang Tuah.
• A strip along Jalan Hang Tuah has been renamed Hang Tuah Mall and popularised as a tourist attraction.
• A bunk name in Outward Bound Sabah.

In Indonesia

• Streets : Jalan Hang Tuah in Medan, Pekanbaru, and Jakarta
• University of Hang Tuah in Surabaya, Indonesia
• The Indonesian Navy also has a frigate named KRI Hang Tuah.

Further reading

• Richard O. Winstedt, A History of Malaya.

See also

• Hang Li Po
• Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
• Puteri Gunung Ledang (musical)