By: Prabowo Subianto [taken from the Book: Military Leadership Notes from Experience Chapter I]
Keumalahayati is known as a hero not only among Acehnese or Indonesians. The female fighter is also known to international historians as the world’s first female naval admiral.
Malahayati’s story is a must-know for all Indonesians. Her leadership story can help to raise the awareness that our nation can surmount any odds.
In addition to the stories of Kartanegara and Raden Wijaya, I also noticed that many people are not aware of Malahayati, who once commanded the Aceh Sultanate naval fleet.
Malahayati, or Keumalahayati in full, is known as a hero among the Acehnese or Indonesians. She is also known to international historians as the world’s first female naval admiral.
Admiral Malahayati, who was engaged in military and political activities, played an important role and was instrumental in the struggle of the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam. She took part in leading the kingdom to its glorious heyday.
At the end of the 15th century, Malahayati showed that Indonesian women also had the ability, passion, and tenacity to defend their nation’s interests and protect their nation’s wealth from foreign exploitation and deception.
Malahayati mobilised about 50,000 soldiers and around 100 warships to guard the Sultanate of Aceh. She made the Dutch respect the people of Aceh, and she made the Portuguese think twice before trying to colonise Aceh.
The story of Malahayati is a must-know for all Indonesians as it can help raise the awareness that our nation can rise to prominence with sheer courage, even when the situation and conditions are not favourable.
