Historical Journals: Sejarah, Sejarah Melayu, and Current History

Sejarah: A Historical Journal

Sejarah is a journal of the Department of History, University of Malaya, which was published in 1988. It is a continuation of the tradition of publishing journals by the Department of History, which had produced many journals before Sejarah, including The Journal of the Historical Society in 1961/62 and Jernal Sejarah in 1970. The journal aims to provide readers with a better understanding of historical events and trends, and it is currently available online.

Sejarah Melayu: A Historical Perspective

One of the finest literary and historical works in the Malay language, Sejarah Melayu, concerns the Malaccan sultanate. Composed sometime in the 15th or 16th century, the original text was written prior to 1536 and underwent changes in 1612, ordered by Sultan Abdullah Maayah Shah. The main theme of this work was to laud the greatness and superiority of the Malaccan state, which had been founded about 1400.

The Sejarah Melayu is significant for its well-written narrative and characterization, and it is an important historical source about Malacca and the Malay world prior to Malacca's decline. The journal consists of a collection of stories, not historically connected, focusing on the activities of the Malaccan sultans, their courts, and government officials. Additionally, foreign rulers were described, as were Malacca's foreign relations and its importance as a regional trading center. Notably, the Sejarah Melayu omits any mention of peasant life.

Current History: A Global Perspective

The journal Current History, published by the University of California Press, is the oldest publication devoted exclusively to international affairs. It aims to observe and explain the profound changes transforming every region of the world, providing readers with a better understanding of today's crucial events and pressing global trends. The journal is published nine times per year and has an impact factor of 1.3.