Undang-Undang Laut Melaka means "Maritime Laws of Melaka" — Jawi: اوندڠ٢ لاءوت ملاک.
It was one of two major legal codes of the Melaka Sultanate (1400–1511). The other was the Undang-Undang Melaka / Hukum Kanun Melaka, which was the land laws. This one dealt specifically with matters related to maritime laws and regulations, as well as nautical procedures concerning seafaring affairs of merchant vessels.
Where did it come from?
The exact date is unknown, but the manuscripts say it was compiled during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah (1424-1444). It wasn't written by the palace alone — it was composed by a group of Melakan shipowners, most of whom were Javanese in origin, led by Patih Harun and Patih Elias who assembled the nakhodas (sea captains) like Nakhoda Zainal, Dewa and Ishak to consult on sea customs.
When they presented it to the Bendahara, Sultan Muhammad Shah decreed:
"You are as rajas at sea, and I confer authority on you accordingly" — meaning the laws of the sea shall be carried out at sea, just as the laws of the land are carried out on land.
Enforcement at sea was placed under the Laksamana — the Admiral of the Fleet.
What did it cover?
It's surprisingly detailed. A legal code called the Maritime Laws of Malacca specified the authority of a trading ship's captain and the responsibilities of the crew, rules of profit-sharing, compensation for collision damage, penalties for cheating on port duties, and settling contractual obligations of debts incurred at sea.
The version catalogued by Stamford Raffles had 20 main clauses, grouped into 4 chapters:
1. People and hierarchy on board
A ship was treated like a floating kingdom. The code gives a full hierarchy:
- Nakhoda (captain) = Raja
- Juru mudi (helmsman) = Bendahara
- Juru batu (leadsman) = Temenggung - also acts as judge
- Malim (pilot/navigator) = Imam - decides when to sail based on winds, waves, reefs
- Tukang kanan / kiri / agong = officers,
- awak-awak = rakyat (crew)
It covers guard duties (berkepang), weapons, food supplies, and even loans - the nakhoda was responsible for providing loans to those in need.
2. Trading system
The kiwi — travelling merchants who rented a petak (partition in the hold) under a commenda system. Rules for rent, how long they can keep it, and what happens if they delay sailing. When arriving at port, the nakhoda had the right to sell first — 4 days before the kiwi and 6 days before other sailors.
3. Safety at sea
Procedures for fire, storms, throwing cargo overboard, ships colliding, finding castaways and treasure (troves), and dealing with runaway slaves.
4. Crimes and punishments
Very strict. Four offences could carry the death penalty on board:
- disloyalty / speaking offensively to the nakhoda
- plotting to kill the nakhoda, kiwi, tukang or malim
- carrying a kris when others don't
- very bad, disrespectful behaviour
Plus detailed laws on adultery, quarrels, theft and mutiny.
Why is it important?
Melaka in the 15th century was the biggest entrepôt in Southeast Asia. This code was one of the earliest maritime laws in the world, and it shows how sophisticated Malay maritime culture was.
After Melaka fell in 1511, the code didn't disappear — it continued to be used by other Malay kingdoms around the Straits of Melaka, even as far as Pahang, Kedah, Pattani and Makassar, with local amendments.
The manuscript page looks like it is from one of the later copies — the red ink marks the start of new chapters/clauses, which was typical. If you found this in an archive like Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia, that's a very valuable copy.
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
5/9/2026: 12.13 a.m
.png)
