Any Malaysian born in Malaysia would know of the legend of Hang Tuah regardless of any race. The tale of his battle with Hang Jebat, his non-genetic brother has been retold in many ways but looking at its core, it is still the same. However what makes this story different to many Malaysians is how we depict and interpret the story.

The story of the battle was all caused by the unjustified way the Sultan Of Malacca sentenced him to death. He was framed with for having an illicit affair with one of the Sultan's concubines. However he was instead saved and hidden far away by the Bendahara(prime minister). After Jebats treachery, he was granted full amnesty and fought Jebat and finally killed Jebat.

The way people has symbolized both Tuah and Jebat has both been one-sided. I find that we have perhaps misunderstood it in many ways, ranging from why Tuah actually forgo with killing Jebat and to what Jebats idea actually meant.

Lets forget Tuah's quotation 'Takkan Melayu Hilang di Dunia' because I personally think its irrelevant in this matter.
However lets insert Jebats quotation 'Raja adil raja disembah, raja zalim raja disanggah' because its plays a huge clue to what was the idea he brought.

I'll put it in numberings to make my arguments easier.

1. Was Tuah too loyal in a non-sensible way

Now some people argue that his loyalty was too strong and that he did not see the logic in Jebats eyes. However as a Muslim, perhaps he knew that as Rasulullah is the perfect example, to forgive someone before the person asks for forgiveness instead of his extremely strong loyalty.

Because if he was loyal then why did he go againts the orders of the Sultan?

An extension of this tale was that After the fight, The Sultan ordered his men to tear down, burn and throw the ashes of the house into the sea. Two months later, when a lady of the Bendahara retinue gave birth to Jebat's son, the sultan ordered Hang Tuah to throw the baby into the sea as well. Instead, he entrusted the child, Hang Kadim, to the Bendahara.

This tale however contradicts the prospect looked upon.

And if he was that loyal, then wouldn't he have killed himself when the Sultan sentenced him to death instead of hide?

I feel that perhaps it wasn't his loyalty but justice that drove him to kill Jebat. Perhaps he knew that after Jebats act of killing so many palace maids his cause has wavered. And to this, justice needed to be brought upon him as well.

2.Jebat, The Father of Malaysian Democracy?

Okayy, going back to his quote, Raja adil raja disembah, raja zalim raja disanggah, did he really fought for democracy? Was it the idea of democracy that he brought? or Was it the idea of justice towards all? and What he fought for was actually simple justice?

Being a Muslim, I felt that democracy was not what he meant when he uttered those words.That sentence could have been simply applied towards any form of governence in the world. Democracy has not been the strongest system created, or the most justified.

What is the actual proof that he meant democracy? He never mentioned in any way for people to vote for him to replace the Sultan. And he never mentioned in anyway of their rights towards determining the rulers.

What he mentioned was that we should follow a just ruler and not follow(or mengenepikan) and unjust ruler. It was that simple. I find no reason what so ever for democracy to butt in.
It wasn't democracy that he fought for, it was justice for all, even rulers. It was simple justice.

3.Was the killing of Jebat Justified?

This is simple, YES.
You see, though Jebat has the correct idea, his methods were wrong. As a Muslim, he shouldve know that himself than to kill the palace maids and divulge himself in merrymaking instead of preaching and continuing his idealism of justice!

And yes he had a choice. Every one has a choice. Even when you are againts the self-proclaimed human god you still have a choice.
Nowadays, it takes a dead reporter for us to realize and fight for the freedom of press.
Nowadays, it takes a dead little girl for us to realise and fight for peace.
If he believed that justice was on his side, he himself would not commit such foul acts of murder.
Its a simple question of willing to stick the objectives that you put forth, not treachery or loyalty.

Conclusion
I just think we think too complex in an inappopriate manner. That we divulge ourselves in the ideas that we like, we fail to see the gyst of ones actions and words. We seem to apply what our beliefs are in storys where it doesn't relate. There are many things in life which are complex, but this is not one of them. This was simple, justice gone wrong, a man who knew what had to be done, and he though loyal, knew his limits. We see things that we want to see and when we don't, we push for those things to appear when at the same time, we fail to realize the negative implications of it. For me, Tuah did the right thing, and Jebat was wrong, not in his idea, but in his reactiosn and for it, he had to face the consequence. His killings does not justify Tuah's alleged murder.

But again, thats my idea je kan?


But remember that let it be Jebat or Tuah, they were both heroes who should be sought for inspiration, patriotism and idealism.

They were both men who were loyal and loving towards each other, brothers but alass as one is clouded in his actions, the other did what was only justified.

Remember that Jebat asked for forgiveness when he died. That he was redeemed. And that Justice, is for all.