A Society in Layers
Society in the Malay World was arranged like a pyramid, with clear ranks. There were two main groups: the ruling class (golongan pemerintah) and the ruled class (golongan diperintah).
At the very top sat the sultan (or raja), the highest authority in the land. Below him came the royal family, the nobles and chief ministers (pembesar) — such as the bendahara (like a prime minister), the temenggung (in charge of security and justice), the penghulu bendahari (in charge of the treasury) and the laksamana (the naval commander) — and the ulama (religious scholars) who advised on Islam. Each of these leaders helped the sultan run the kingdom.
The Ruled Class
The ruled class was the largest group. It included the rakyat, the free common people who farmed, fished, traded and served the kingdom, and the hamba (slaves), who stood at the bottom and had the fewest rights. In return for their loyalty and labour, the rakyat looked to the ruler for protection and fair treatment. The people believed the ruler possessed daulat (sovereign majesty), and the rakyat were expected to show loyalty (taat setia); to rebel was derhaka (treason), which was greatly feared.
Key idea
Malay society had two classes — the ruling class led by the sultan, and the larger ruled class of rakyat and hamba — bound together by daulat and loyalty.
Remember
- The sultan was the highest authority.
- The bendahara was like a prime minister.
- Rakyat were free commoners; hamba were slaves.