Ulu Melaka, Langkawi

Ulu Melaka (GPS: 6.35404, 99.77476) is a mukim in central Langkawi, Kedah. It was named after the name river that flows through the area, Sungai Melaka. The name Ulu Melaka means the village is at the upper part of the river.

Ulu Melaka is the second most populous mukim in Langkawi after Kuah. It benefited from its position between administrative capital at Kuah and the tourist belt at Pantai Cenang. Much of Ulu Melaka is agricultural land given predominantly to paddy farming. The tallest mountain in Langkawi, Gunung Raya, is also located in Ulu Melaka. Other sights in Ulu Melaka includes the ancient gravestones of Makam Purba.

Etymology of Ulu Melaka

According to legend,¹, the name Ulu Melaka goes back to the time of the Malacca Sultanate, where Tun Fatimah, the daughter of Bendahara Seri Maharaja Tun Mutahir (1498-1510AD), the 8th bendahara of the Malacca Sultanate. Tun Fatimah was mentioned in Sejarah Melayu. She was espoused to Tun Mat Ali, the son of Sri Nara Diraja Tun Tahir. After murdering Tun Fatimah's family, she was taken as the wife of Sultan Mahmud.

Tun Fatimah's grave is at the Muslim Cemetery at Padang Mat Sirat in Langkawi. She was ordered by Sultan Mahmud to hide herself from Malacca at the sign that Malacca might fall into the hands of enemies. She was ordered to set sail in the direction of the sunset on a trading vessel to avoid public notice. She was accompanied by a warrior, Panglima Harimau Berantai, to act has her bodyguard until she safely arrived at her destination.

After sailing for a few days, Tun Fatimah arrived at Pulau Langkawi. The place was given the name Ulu Melaka as an extension of the Malacca realm in Pulau Langkawi.

Ulu Melaka is on the Map of Places in Langkawi

References

1. Studions Production: Pengakhiran Tun Fatimah

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