Behind the tumultuous history of Indonesia’s struggle for independence, the name Keumalahayati, better known as Admiral Malahayati, stands out as a formidable female figure who not only carved a heroic legacy at sea but also shook the dominance of colonial powers in the 16th century.
Born in Aceh on January 1, 1550, she was an extraordinary woman who embodied courage, intelligence, and exceptional leadership in a time when the military and political arenas were dominated by men.
The First Female Admiral in the World
Malahayati came from a noble seafaring family. Her father, Admiral Mahmud Syah, served as the Commander of the Aceh Sultanate’s navy. She was also the great-granddaughter of Sultan Salahuddin Syah, the second ruler of the Sultanate.
Her passion for the sea and fighting spirit seemed to run in her blood. She spent her youth within the palace environment and received military education at Mahad Baitul Maqdis, the sultanate’s naval military academy. There, Malahayati was trained not only in theory but also in battle tactics by seasoned instructors, including those from the Ottoman Empire.
By the age of 35, around the year 1585, Malahayati had already been entrusted with leading the elite Royal Secret Guard and was appointed Chief of Government Protocol under Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah al-Mukammil’s rule.
However, the turning point in her life came a year later, when her husband, Admiral Tuanku Mahmuddin bin Said Al Latief, was killed in battle against the Portuguese fleet in Haru Bay, Malacca Strait.
Deep grief did not break her spirit. Instead, Malahayati vowed to carry on her husband’s fight. With the Sultan’s blessing, she was appointed admiral, making her the first woman in the world to hold such a high-ranking military position at the time.
The Widow Warriors Who Became Colonial's Worst Nightmare
Malahayati’s fight didn’t stop there. She initiated the formation of an elite all-female military unit composed entirely of war widows, wives of fallen soldiers.
The unit was called "Inong Balee", which means “widowed women” in the Acehnese language. Their numbers were astounding, over 2,000 fiercely trained women, personally drilled by Malahayati with strict discipline and advanced naval warfare strategies.
Inong Balee was no ordinary force. They were equipped with 100 large warships, each capable of carrying up to 400 troops.
Their base, Fort Inong Balee, was strategically built on a hill overlooking Lamreh Bay in Greater Aceh. With its 100-meter-high stone walls, sea-facing cannon holes, and military training complex, the fortress became the stronghold of a formidable female fighting force that struck fear into colonial invaders.
This elite unit took part in numerous critical battles, not only around the Malacca Strait but also along the eastern coasts of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. One of their most heroic moments occurred on September 11, 1599, when Malahayati led her forces to intercept two Dutch warships, de Leeuw and de Leeuwin, as they attempted to dock at Aceh’s port.
In a dramatic one-on-one duel aboard the enemy ship, Malahayati killed Cornelis de Houtman, a key figure in Dutch maritime expansion. The act shocked the world and became a powerful symbol of female resistance against colonial oppression.
Malahayati at the Negotiation Table
Malahayati was not only a brilliant military commander, she was also a skilled diplomat. Following her military victories, the Sultan entrusted her with negotiations with the Dutch. During the talks over the release of prisoners, including Frederik de Houtman, Malahayati demanded that the Dutch pay reparations for the conflict they had caused.
She also received James Lancaster, the envoy of Queen Elizabeth I of England, who came to Aceh seeking to trade spices. The meeting ended peacefully and successfully, as Lancaster made it clear that he came for trade, not conquest, an approach that Malahayati welcomed and respected.
From Tale to Legend
In several old Acehnese chronicles, Malahayati’s struggle is portrayed with striking heroism. She not only commanded naval fleets that sailed thousands of kilometers but also protected vital trade routes and upheld the stability of the Sultanate. Hikayat Aceh (Tale of Aceh) records the story of female resistance against Portuguese domination, with Malahayati emerging as a symbol of strength and honor.
Her story also gained international recognition. Dutch historians and Western writers acknowledged her bravery. Even Indonesia’s legendary musician Iwan Fals immortalized her life in a song released in 2010.
The Final Voyage of the Admiral
Malahayati’s journey came to an end in 1606, when she was killed in battle against the Portuguese in the waters of the Malacca Strait. Her body was laid to rest atop a hill in Lamreh Village, Greater Aceh, not far from her military base. She is remembered as a national hero and an eternal role model.
The Government of Indonesia officially awarded her the title of National Hero on November 6, 2017, through Presidential Decree No. 115/TK/Year 2017. Today, her name lives on through ports and Indonesian Navy warships that bear her legacy.
Keumalahayati’s name also echoed on the closing day of the 42nd UNESCO General Conference on November 22, 2023, in Paris, France. She was among the National Heroes whose birthday was officially designated as an international day of commemoration.
