Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait341879roya).pdf/80

 THE MARITIME CODE OF THE MALAYS.

[The following Paper comprises a translation by Sir S. Raffles of the more important passages of the Malacca Maritime Codes, interpolated with notes by the Translator. The manner in which this valuable contribution came into the Society's bands is sufficiently explained in a note which appears at the end of the Miscellaneous Notices. The reprint of this Translation, except for a few necessary corrections, appears in the exact form of Sir S. Raffles' original Paper as printed in the Malacca Weekly Register. A few foot notes under the initials above referred to are appended in explanation of certain obscure phrases.]

In the following Sketch, which defines the Laws and usages of the Malays at Sea, the Malacca Code has been selected for the text, as well on account of the admitted superiority of that once flourishing kingdom among the Malay states in general, as from the circumstance of this Code having, with some slight modifications, been adopted by several of the ancient and powerful states on the Island of Celebes, and still continuing in force among many of the Bugis and Macassar Traders from that Island. The Bugis and Macassar states, which are nations radically distinct from the Malays, possess a Maritime Code of still greater antiquity, but in better times they appear to have, in many instances, adopted the Sea Laws of Malacca, nearly in the same manner as the Romans adopted the celebrated Rhodian code.

The Malacca code appears to have been compiled during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Shab, the first Malacca mentioned in the Malayan annals to the Mahomedan faith. The circumstance is under taken place about the year of the Hajirah, corresp the Christian Era 1296.—The origin of the Mal therefore, be considered as nearly coeval with blishment of Islamism among the Malays. The the code is thus stated in the preamble.