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| Utimutiraja | |
|---|---|
| Born | Utimutiraja Pulau Upeh, Malacca, Malacca Sultanate |
| Died | Malacca, Malacca Sultanate |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, Community leader |
| Era | Malacca Sultanate |
| Known for | The biggest traitor in Malay history |
Utumutiraja (?–1511), or known as Timuturaja or Sri Utama Raja, is a merchant and community leader of Javanese descent, who is known as the biggest traitor in Malay history.
Early life and business career
Utimutiraja became the leader of the Malacca community of Javanese descent in the Upeh Island, Malacca, Malacca Sultanate area. He is referred to as "Utimutiraja, the richest and most influential man in the town". He has six thousand servants who are the Javanese people, including those owned by his son and son-in-law. Other sources state that he has no less than ten thousand men that he can call upon at any time. He also controlled several areas or regions around Malacca. The people from Tuban, Japara, Sunda and Palembang were under the authority of Utimutiraja. He also has a lot of money and dominates trade in Malacca. Portuguese sources claim that Utimutiraja was the second richest person after the Sultan of Malacca at that time.
Betrayal of the Malacca Sultanate
Utimutiraja is an opportunist (quick to seize opportunities) and defector, he has made good with the Portuguese people who have been detained in Melaka because they were found to be spying on the strength of the army and the defense of Malacca Sultanate. Even one of the Javanese women in his area had fallen in love with one of the Portuguese spies.
When they were captured and imprisoned, the Javanese woman swam to the ship of Diogo Lopes de Sequeira, the Portuguese leader, and told him of the event. This action enabled de Squiera and some of his followers to escape his ship and sail to Goa, northwest India, to inform captain Alfonso de Albuquerque of the Utimutiraja's capture.
Another defector when the Portuguese attacked Melaka in 1511 was Nina Chatu (otherwise known as Nina Chetu). Nina Chatu is a Indian merchant who has greatly alleviated the suffering of Auraujo and fellow prisoners in Malacca. According to the book Albuquerque: Caesar Timur (1995:129), he was appointed Shahbandar of the Hindu merchants by Albuquerque in 1511 and committed suicide in 1514. Nina Chatu and her people played a role in smuggling Auraujo's letters while Auraujo was in prison. Nina Chatu's betrayal was certainly not expected by the Sultan of Melaka since Nina Chatu was a merchant with a very close relationship with Sultan Ahmad.
Death
Utimutiraja was beheaded by Alfonso because he was found to have given assistance to the Sultan of Melaka to block the Portuguese advance.
See also
References
- Utimutiraja: Pengkianat Terbesar Dalam Sejarah Melayu
- After Si Kitol, PKR info chief talks about treacherous Utimutiraja
- Albuquerque: Caesar Timur (1995:129)
- Keruntuhan Kerajaan Kesultanan Melayu Melaka Menurut Teori Kitaran Ibnu Khadun