Once upon a time, in the West Coast of Melayu Peninsula, there was a kingdom named Negeri Bintan. At that time had a boy named Hang Tuah. He was a hard-working child and often helped his parents to look for wood in the forest.

Hang Tuah had four friends who are Hang Jebat, Hang Lekir, Hang Lekiu and Hang Kesturi. When stepping on the adolescent, they playing together to sea. They wanted to become the skilled seaman and could bring the ship to far countries.

One day, they rose the boat down to middle sea.

“Hey look, there are three ships!” exciting Hang Tuah shouted to his friends. The three ships still were in the distance, so as they did not yet see clear the signs. The three ships increasingly approached.

“Look at the flag! The flag of the pirate's ship!” shouted Hang Kesturi, “We must fight them until the last blood!” he continued.

The pirate's ship increasingly approached the boat of Hang Tuah and his friends.

“Let’s find the nearest island to land. We will have more spacious fight on the land!” said Hang Tuah arranged the strategy.

It was the fierce battle between Hang Tuah with friends and the pirates. Hang Tuah attacked the commander of the pirates who was tall and big equipped with his heirloom keris*.

“Hey young kid, surrender!… put down your kitchen knife!” hearing these words made Hang Tuah were really touched on. Then he jumped agilely and stabbed the pirate. The commander of the pirates then at once was killed.

In a short time Hang Tuah and his friends succeeded in paralyzing the pirates. In fact they succeeded in capturing 5 pirates. Others unfortunately ran away by their ship.

Afterwards Hang Tuah and his friends appeared before Sultan Bintan and bringing their prisoner. Due to the courage and his ability, Hang Tuah and his friends were given by the rank in the royal paramilitary troops.

Several years afterwards, Hang Tuah was appointed to the management of the sea fleet. Since becoming the management of the sea fleet, Negeri Bintan became firm and prosperous. There was no country dare to invade Negeri Bintan.

Some time afterwards, Sultan Bintan wanted to propose to the Majapahit princess in Java Island.

“I want the fleet to be prepared for the trip to Majapahit,” Sultan's words to Hang Tuah. Hang Tuah immediately arranged a strong fleet.

After all set up, the Sultan and his party immediately rose to the ship headed towards the Tuban city that previously had been the main port of Majapahit. The trip did not come across the obstacle completely.

Sultan's wedding reception took place merrily and safely. After being finished the marriage, Sultan Bintan and his queen back to Malacca.

Hang Tuah then was appointed to the admiral. He led the fleets of the entire kingdom. But this did not last longer since the palace officers became jealous. The palace officers defamed Hang Tuah to the Sultan. They said that Hang Tuah could only be extravagant, was smeared in luxury and scattered the kingdom’s money.

Finally the Sultan was influenced by their agitation. Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat were fired and demoted from being admirals. Moreover the palace officers pitted Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat against each other. They accused Hang Jebat of rebelling.

Hang Tuah was startled to hear this news. He then visited Hang Jebat and tried to advise him. But apparently the strategy of the royal officers to oppose them  was successful. Hang Jebat and Hang Tuah quarreled and finally fought. Hang Jebat was killed by Hang Tuah. Hang Tuah really regretted it.

But for Sultan, Hang Tuah was considered as the hero because of succeeding in killing a rebel.

“I reappointed you as the admiral”, said the Sultan to Hang Tuah.

Since that time Hang Tuah had again led the fleets of royal sea.

One day, Hang Tuah got the task to India to develop the friendship between Negeri Bintan and India. Hang Tuah in his supernatural powers tested by Indian King to conquer the wild horse. The test was passed successfully. Indian King and his officers were very amazed.

After coming home from India, Hang Tuah accepted the task to China. The emperor that time was Khan. In the kingdom no-one might gaze directly at the face of the emperor. When Hang Tuah was in the middle of the royal dinner arranged by the Emperor, Hang Tuah asked to be provided water spinach. He sat in front of Emperor Khan.

When eating, Hang Tuah looked up to put the water spinach into his mouth. Therefore he could see the face of the emperor.

The emperor's officers were angry and would arrest Hang Tuah, but Emperor Khan kept him free because he was very amazed with intelligence of Hang Tuah.

Several other state tasks succeeded in being carried out well by Hang Tuah. Until at one time he received the task blocking the fleet from the west led by Admiral D Almeida. This fleet was very strong. The fierce battle happened. During so Hang Tuah fell in defending his homeland. He was killed by the admiral.

Since that time, Hang Tuah is known as the skilled seaman, the courageous admiral and became the hero in Indonesia and Malaysia.

As the appreciation, one of the Indonesian warships was given name of KRI Hang Tuah.

(Sumateran Folk Tale, true story)

* The kris or keris is a distinctive, asymmetrical dagger endemic to Malaysia and Indonesia. Both a weapon and spiritual object, krises are often considered to have an essence or presence, with some blades possessing good luck, while other possess bad.

Wikipedia