"Next Wave" records and commemorates the pre-finale war between the Portuguese and Malaccans in 25 July 1511 AD. Very few are aware that it took the Portuguese years to invade the city (not days, as unfairly propagated). And as rumours spread from obsolete weaponry systems to weak governance, there are indeed abundant amount of history rewriting that need to be revised.
Firstly, the war was triggered after September 1509 with the capture of Portuguese Rui de Araujo and other personnel. Those became captives after the Sultan was convinced the hidden intention of the soon-to-be invader - to built a fortress, despite business trade with the merchants. Later in 28 June 1511, Portuguese arrived in the Straits of Malacca for treaty resolution, however decided to attack the city on 25 July 1511 with 40 fleets, carrying 2300 (more/less) soldados and allies. The attempt to capture the city again failed, they retreated, and came back on 14 August 1511 and successfully seized control in 24 August 1511.
Secondly, the taking of the city was during the reign of Sultan Ahmad Syah, or Marhum di Bukit Batu. Although no Portuguese sources ever recorded this, it has been justified by archaeologists discovery of two coins bearing the name "Sultan Ahmad ibn Mahmud Syah" (primary source). Despite the rumours of his father being a weak leader, there are many points to prove "Sultan Mahmud Syah Marhum di Kampar", is one of the best rulers of Malacca. Furthermore according to the Sulalat u's-Salatin, the latter ordered the former's execution, due to his treatment to the elders. Perhaps that was the former's "weakness".
Last but not least, the weaponry system of the Malays and Malaccans are top-notched, from cannons to matchlocks, despite the traditional kris and crossbows, which had wounded, and made numbers of soldados retreated and even hesitate in taking the city for the second time. As mentioned in the Commentaries of the great Alfonso Dalboquaerque:
"...and when Antonio Dabreu in the junk had now arrived within a crossbow-shot from the bridge, the Moors began to open fire upon him from one side and the other, with large matchlocks, blowing tubes, and poisoned arrows; and with bombards which threw leaden shot as large as an espera they swept the decks of the junk from one side and the other, and as Antonio Dabreu did not seek therein any place of safety where he could avoid the shots which they kept on pouring in to the junk, he was the first who was hit with a bullet from a large matchlock, which struck him on the jaw and carried away many of his teeth and part of his tongue"
Now let us explain what the song is about...
"Gather all local forces, fortifying dignity and stand
With the aid of our brothers, from neighbouring and far foreign lands"
The first verse sings the unity among the Malaccans' alliance involving the local Malays, Turks, Gujarats, and Arabs. Although the Javanese played an integral part of building the city, their betrayal made us dropped the group from the alliance. After further reconsideration however, we decide to dignify some of them who turn their backs against their leader - Utimutiraja, in the next track "Shuhada".
While the pre-chorus sings what was being contributed among the alliance, the chorus broke the mid-tempo to a faster one emphasising what was done to strengthen their position:
"Multiply artilleries to the bridge that divides into sections with palisades to close the main path towards the town, to defend the crown"
The above was recorded in same commentary:
"Directly that all had retired into the ships, the king ordered that the stockades should be reconstructured, and made stronger than they had been before, and placed in them double the quantity of artillery, of which there was a great supply in Malacca, as will be related hereafter, and ordered the bridge to be divided into sections with very strong palisades..."
The second verse highlights the involvement of Islamic Scholars in the war.
"Foreign scholars, joining forces, preaching men encouraging to fight
Joining league with elephantry, sitting with Sultan to give advise"
As per Sulalat u's-Salatin,
"Maka Sultan Ahmad pun keluarlah naik gajah, Jinakji namanya. Seri Udani di kepala gajah, Tun Ali Hati di buntut gajah. Maka Makhdum dibawa baginda bertimbal rengga kerana baginda bergurukan ilmu tauhid pada Makhdum.
The above passage means, "And so Sultan Ahmad rides Jinakji, his war elephant. Seri Udani sits at the neck, while Tun Ali Hati guards the back. And so Makhdum whom teaches the Sultan religion, sits on the howdah with him."
And the pre-chorus below highlights the practice of reciting salawat to Prophet Muhammad by Muslim forces, not just in Malacca, but the rest of the Muslim world. Know more about it at dalailalkhayrat.com
"دلائل الخيرات (Dalailul Khairat), a guide for Jihad, which carried along, with our souls for being a practitioner"
"His mercy, is all that we need so we stand to our ground, to face the enemy
May His fate, will be on our side towards victory, to Him we shall pray."
The chorus above emphasise what all Muslims require - رَحْمَةٌ (rahmat/mercy). Allah said in the Holy Quran:
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ
[Who say], "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us mercy from Yourself. Indeed, You are the Bestower.
Surah Ali 'Imran (Ayah 8)
The last pre-chorus describes days after the soldados' retreat, the defenders know that the next attack will come. The last chorus then brings the listener how prepared the Malaccans were to fight for the next attack. And their deaths as shuhada will be highly rewarded in Hereafter, as the last part of the song goes "...as death will make life worth to live".
*At the moment, listeners can listen to the full songs from the latest single by clicking the SHARE link at the Music Player (located at the homepage). Once the link is shared, a Music Player would appear at their page with the full song(s).