Looks like Parameswara lost the election!
By Zan Azlee

I have fallen into the trap. The trap of going on family vacations during public and school holidays. So is my luck now that I am married and with a daughter. And so, last weekend, the long three-day Malaysia Day weekend, my wife, daughter and I decided to head down to Melaka, Malaysia’s historical and heritage city certified and endorsed by UNESCO.

It’s not much the holiday that I want to talk about. That was overall a fun and enjoyable time my family and I had. What I do want to talk about is a little bit more political. Any holiday to Melaka city needs a ride on the famous Melaka River Cruise. It’s a 45 minute boat ride up and down the Melaka River, which saw the glory days and also the downfall of Malay civilisation.

The boat ride was pretty good actually. But then, the audio commentary guide that played over the speakers on the boat explaining the ride was horrible! Being a UNESCO heritage city that is rich in history and culture that dates back centuries, I was really expecting to hear (and then imagine!) the different stories that is related to the Melaka River.

I wanted to hear grand stories of old Malay adventurers, Chinese explorers and Arab traders making their way to this great river mouth to the grandest East Asian city of the 14th century. I wanted to hear about the bloody and deadly battles that took place between the Dutch, Portuguese, British and Malays as they tried to conquer, colonise and defend this mighty empire.

I wanted to be serenaded by romantic stories about Parameswara, Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, and the beautiful Hang Li Po as the wind blew my long silky hair and sprays of water moisturised my face. But did I get that? Absolutely not! [Click to read the full article at English.AstroAwani.Com]