Malahayati, Admiral of the World's Widow of the Widow of Aceh

Ancient women are often marginalized in history. Besides prohibited to participate in politics, activities that can be done Eve is also limited. However, there is a figure of great women in the history of Indonesia. His name is Keumalahayati, or better known as Admiral Malahayati from Aceh.

In historical records, Malahayati is the world's first marine admiral. He was described as the warlord of the Aceh Sultanate who was able to conquer the Dutch navy fleet and the Portuguese (Portuguese) in the 16th century AD.

Malahayati is the daughter of Admiral Mahmud Shah bin Laksamana Muhammad Said Shah. While his grandfather was the son of Sultan Salahuddin Syah who led Aceh in 1530-1539.

No wonder then Malahayati is familiar with the navy world. Before leading the war, he had a military academy education and deepening marine science in Baital Makdis or Aceh Army Education Center.

At that time, Malahayati met a young officer who later became his life companion. In a war against Portugal at Haru Bay, the Acehnese fleet successfully destroyed the Portuguese soldiers.

However, the fighting left about a thousand Acehnese dead, including admirals who were Malahayati's husbands.

After her death, Malahayati formed a fleet of widows whose husbands were killed in battle against the Portuguese. His troop fleet was named Inong Balee or Female Widower Fleet.

Its base is in Lamreh Bay, Krueng Raya, Aceh. There are 100 warships with a capacity of 400-500 people. Each battleship is equipped with a cannon. In fact, the largest ship equipped five cannons.

Malahayati also built a fort named Inong Balee Fortress with his troops. Malahayati's military career continued to climb until he occupied the highest position in the Royal Navy of Aceh at that time.

Like the leaders of the time, Admiral Malahayati fought on the front lines against the forces of Portugal and the Dutch who wanted to control the Malacca Strait sea lane.

Reputation Malahayati as the gatekeeper of the royal gate makes the British who want to enter the region of Aceh chose to take the road of peace. The letter from Queen Elizabeth I brought by James Lancaster to the Sultan of Aceh opened the way for England to go to Java and open a trading post in Banten.

Cornelis de Houtman, the first Dutchman to arrive in Indonesia, also attempted to destabilize Aceh in 1599. However, his attempts failed. Dutch troops successfully repulsed by Inong Balee's fleet. Cornelis de Houtman was killed at the hands of Admiral Malahayati on September 11, 1599.

While Prins Maurits who led the Dutch at that time trying to improve relations with Aceh. Both held initial negotiations until a number of agreements were reached.

For his courage, the name Malahayati currently used as the name of the road, port, hospital, college until the name of the warship, the KRI Malahayati. Even his paintings are immortalized in the Submarine Museum, Surabaya, East Java.