Dutchmalaysia.net

The book entitled History of the Dutch in Malaysia by Dennis De Witt, was published as a contribution by the Malaysian Dutch descendants to commemorate Malaysia's 50th Merdeka, 50 years of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the Netherlands, and four centuries of friendly contacts between the two nations. The theme of my book focuses on the mutual heritage shared between Malaysia and the Netherlands. It also tells about ties of friendship, diplomacy and commerce shared between the Dutch and the Malays that goes all the way back to their first contact in 1602 at Batu Sawar, Johor. It reveals of the mutual heritage that Malaysia shares with the Netherlands.

Written in the perspective of a Malaysian Dutch Eurasian after 15 years of research and illustrated with some 300 photos, illustrations and maps, the book gives an insider's view of Malaysian history during the Dutch era and provides a basic but rarely told account of Dutch influences in Malaysia, as well as regarding the Dutch descent community in Malaysia. It is the first serious book written by a Malaysian Eurasian about the Eurasians since many years ago.

The book includes a history of the Netherlands which lead to the founding of the Dutch East India Company; the first contact between the Dutch and the Malays in Johor; capture of Malacca, relationships between the Protestant Dutch and the Roman Catholic Portuguese-Eurasians in Dutch Malacca; their attempts to enhance trade, maintain diplomacy and create an equilibrium of power in the Straits; as well as an insight to the Dutch Admirals, Burghers, Governors and their administrative ranks in shaping Malaysia's history.

It is a comprehensive book that identifies Dutch architectural influences still found in Malacca town; the newly rediscovered bastion Middelburgh in Malacca; secret subterranean tunnels on St. Paul's hill; fortresses at Linggi, Kuala Selangor and on Pangkor Island; places in Perak with Dutch names; shipwrecks; archival sources; old Dutch money and much more.

Also discussed are Dutch-descended communities such as the Afrikaners, Indo-Dutch Eurasians, Ceylon Burghers and Dutch Eurasians from Malacca. For the Malaysian Dutch descendants, it recounts their history, their ancestor's contributions in Malaysian history and the development of this hidden and forgotten Malaysian minority ethnic group.

The book was launched at the Malaysian National Library, Kuala Lumpur on 18th December 2007. The book launch was jointly officiated by Encik Raslin Abu Bakar, the Deputy Director-general of the National Library together with H.E. Lody Embrechts, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malaysia.

The crowd who attended the book launch. Center
is the President of the History Society of Malaysia.
On the right is Encik Syed from the National
Library who acted as the MC.

Message from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malaysia in the book:

What is more appropriate in this year in which we not only celebrate 50 years of Malaysia, as well as 50 years of Netherlands-Malaysian diplomatic relations then a book tracing the relationship between the Dutch and Malaysia? I am therefore more than grateful to Mr. Dennis De Witt for recounting the more than 400 years history between the Netherlands and Malaysia.

It is indeed in 1606 that Admiral Cornelis Matelieff de Jonge of the Dutch East India Company, or VOC as it is more commonly known after its Dutch abbreviation, signed a treaty with the Sultan of Johor to reconquer Malacca. This was a start of an eventful common history. Mr. Dennis De Witt is the right person to retell the story. As you will read in this book, his ancestors can be traced in the VOC traders of Malacca and even the older Portuguese occupants of the city. Realizing that he is indeed tributary to them, he has taken up the task to reassemble and animate the Dutch descendants in Malaysia through the Malaysian Dutch Descendants Project and thus give them back their proper identity.

Preparing for the celebration of 50 years of Netherlands-Malaysian diplomatic relations, we found out that The Netherlands are relatively unknown to the average Malaysians. People think mainly about a friendly country with windmills and tulips. Well-known Dutch icons are football player Van Nistelrooij and famous artist Van Gogh. This is the reason why the Netherlands embassy is working together with the Malaysian Dutch Business Council and Dutch companies in Malaysia to promote the Netherlands and Dutch products. The motto 'Holland, More than tulips' has been chosen for this year's campaign. This should incite Malaysians to get to know more about the Netherlands. What better start then to find out about the Dutch history in your own country?

Lody Embrechts
Ambassador

Extract of letter received from the Malaysian Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, dated 7th January 2008:

"This is an effort that should be commanded which I do in earnestness.

Reading this book is an enjoyment especially for those who love the history of Melaka and its ties with the period 1511 and beyond. Your depiction of the various Dutch legacies in the Peninsula, in particular in Melaka, is both scholarly and informative."

Sincerely yours,
Y.B. Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim