MELAKA: Delegates from the Melaka government are in The Hague, Netherlands to examine a 265-year-old manuscript that could shed more light on the legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah.

The document, which is at Leiden University in The Hague, is the world’s oldest Hang Tuah Tale manuscript dating back to 1758.

Other documents include the Hikayat Hang Tuah, which was translated into several foreign languages.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic) will also meet Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Roseli Abdul, to discuss the possibility of a collaboration between stakeholders in the state and Leiden University to explore the facts behind Hang Tuah.

Other state government delegates include tourism, heritage, art and culture committee chairman Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman and rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

In a statement on Tuesday (April 30), Ab Rauf said they were keen on forming a special working committee to study historical records, artefacts and the Melaka Sultanate heritage with officials from the Netherlands.

Ab Rauf said his delegate also touched on strengthening bilateral ties between Melaka and the Netherlands.

“The state also focused on investment and trade opportunities during the discussion.

“Roseli was also informed that some 70,000 Dutch tourists arrived in Melaka in 2023,” he added.

On March 6, Ab Rauf said the state government would bring back artefacts and documents related to Hang Tuah from various countries to be displayed in conjunction with Visit Melaka Year 2024.