Malay Annals/Chapter 9

The account of Sultan Make al Mansur of Samadra.

IT happened on a day, that Sultan Malec al Mansur announced to his minister, Sidi Ali Ismayemdi, his intention of going to visit his elder brother, and see the state of his adventures. His prime minister strongly dissuaded him lest some discord should arise, but the young Prince disregarded all his remonstrances, and the other was silent. He then ordered the mung mung to be beaten, and prepared for his journey. He was not on intimate terms with Ismayemdi, who was an ancient mantri, and perfectly versed in affairs, though unable to prevent the occurrence of mischief.

Sultan Malec al Mansur accordingly set out in his bravery, and went to the land of Pasei, and entered the palace of his brother Sultan Malec al Zaher, where he became suddenly enamoured of one of the female attendants, and carried her off to his own palace. As soon as he saw Sidi Ali Ismayemdi, he addressed him, saying, "O father, I have got a very difficult matter in hand, and have completely neglected your advice, and have ruined myself by my conduct." Sidi Ali Ismayemdi said, "it is necessary that what has been ordained should take place in all the creatures."Sultan Malec al Zaher was informed of his brother's conduct, and that he was at Jambu Ayer, and was filled with rage which he reposed in his own breast, and sent to invite Malec al Mansur, but he did not return. Sultan Malec al Mansur left Samadra, and went out to the mouth of the river, and Malec al Zaher went up the river Catrea to his palace, and Malec al Mansur then returned to Samadra, reflecting that had he followed his minister's advice it would have been better for him, while his brother only be-came more enraged at him.

Sultan Malec al Zaher had a son, named Sultan Ahmed, who was still young, when he was carried away prisoner to Raja Shaher al Nawi, but he was full grown when he returned. Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din now resigned his office, and Tun Parpatih Tulos, who had been originally a huntsman, or Tukang Sigari, became Mangcubumi in his room. Now it happened on a day that Sultan Malec al Zaher said to this Tukang Sigari, "What would you advise respecting the conduct of Malec al Mansur." "I have a project" said the minister. "But if he should die "— said the prince. "If he die" said the minister, "my name is not Tukang. Proclaim a solemn festival, with respect to your son, and let us invite Malec al Mansur, and if he come the game is in our hand."

The raja approved of the measure, and preparations were made for the festival, and a great hall erected for the purpose; and Malec al Mansur being invited came with Sidi Ali Ismayemdi and were introduced into the festal hall, while all the champions remained without. Then Malec al Zaher ordered them both to be seized and conveyed to prison by a champion. He however said to Sidi Ali "stay you here, there is no need for you to accompany Malec al Mansur, your neck shall be severed if you attempt it." "If you cut off my head, it is well" said the ancient minister, "but otherwise I shall certainly accompany my lord."On this his head was immediately struck off and thrown into the sea, and his body impaled at the fort of Pasei. As for Malec al Mansur, a man carried him in a prow towards the east.

When he arrived at Jambu Ayer, the steersman observed a man's head which was impelled on the rudder of the prow. He mentioned the circumstance to Sultan Malec al Mansur, and he ordered it to be taken up, when it appeared to be the head of Sidi Ali Ismayemdi. Then the raja turning round his head, said "Padang Maya? what field is that,"and the place retains the name of Padang Maya to this day. Malec al Mansur went ashore at that place, and sent to ask his brother for the body. Malec al Zaher granted it, and the raja caused both that and the head to be buried in Padang Maya. He then proceeded to prison. After this the circumcision of Sultan Ahmed was performed in state. When Malec al Mansur had been three years imprisoned at Manjong, Malec al Zaher began to recollect his brother. "Very foolish counsel" said he "have I followed for the sake of a woman, to dethrone my brother and put to death his mantri." He was filled with deep regret, and sent one of his champions with a party of followers to conduct his brother from Manjong, with the state due to a raja.

When Malec al Mansur arrived at Padang Maya, he landed and paid his respects to the tomb of Sidi Ali Ismayemdi, and saluting it, he said "Salam to you, my father, you stay here, but my elder brother calls me."Sidi Ali answered from the tomb, "Peace be to you, but it is better for you to stay here than to go."On hearing this, Malec al Mansur brought water for the performance of his devotions, after which he laid himself down by the tomb to sleep, and there he expired. The news was brought to the Sultan Malec al Zaher that his brother had expired at Padang Maya, beside the tomb of Sidi Ali Ismayemdi. The Sultan himself immediately proceeded to Padang Maya, and had his brother buried with all the ceremonial of a great raja, and returned sorrowfully to the land of Pasei.

After this he resigned his throne to his son Sultan Ahmed; and in process of time he fell sick, and having summoned his son, he exhorted him to pay deference to the advice of his elders; and before engaging in important matters, to consult with his mantris; to avoid hasty passion, and cultivate patience in adverse circumstances; not to make light of religion; to seize no person's property unjustly. Sultan Ahmed was filled with grief. At last Malec al Zaher died, and was buried near the mosque, and Sultan Ahmed long reigned in his stead.

It is related by the author followed in this work, that there was a man of Pasei, named Tun Jana Khateb, who went to Singhapura with two companions named Tuan de Bongoran, and Tuan de Salangor. One day Tun Jana Khateb was walking in the marketplace of Singhapura, and drew near to the palace of the raja, where one of the  raja's women observed him. He was looking at a betel tree, when it suddenly broke. This was observed by the raja, who was enraged at it, conceiving it to have been done solely for the purpose of attracting the lady's attention, and displaying his skill. He accordingly ordered him to be put to death. The executioners seized him and carried him to the place of execution, and stabbed him near the house of a seller of sweetmeats. His blood flowed on the ground, but his body vanished from their ken, and his blood was covered up by the sweetmeat seller, and was changed into stone and still remains at Singhapura.

According to one account, however, the body of Tun Jana Khateb lies at Langcawi, where it was buried, for thus they sing of it in Pantuns.

"Tough is the duck of Singhora (above Kiddeh)

The Pandan leans on the Tui tree;

His blood was shed at Singhapura,

But his body lies at Langcawi."