Tun Perak

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Tun Perak (Jawi: بندهار ڤدوک راج تون ڤيراق‎; died 1498) was the fifth and most famous bendahara (a high official similar to a prime minister) of the Malacca Sultanate. He served from 1456 to 1498 under four sultans: Muzzafar Shah, Mansur Shah, Alauddin Riayat Shah, and Mahmud Shah.

He was the son of Malacca’s first bendahara, Sri Wak Raja Tun Perpatih Besar, and in 1445 he became Malacca’s representative in Klang. During his time as bendahara, Malacca faced Siamese invasions in 1445–1446 and again in 1456, and Tun Perak played a key role in defending and governing the state.

Tun Perak helped extend Malacca’s influence to many areas, including Pahang, Terengganu, Johor, Riau, Lingga, Bengkalis, Karimon, Rokan, Siak, Kampar, Jambi, Inderagiri and Aru. Rulers in these regions converted to Islam due to Malacca’s influence.

He remained loyal to Malacca. When his son Tun Besar was killed by Raja Muhammad (the son of Sultan Mahmud Shah), he did not seek revenge; instead, he asked that Raja Muhammad be crowned as sultan elsewhere, and Raja Muhammad became sultan in Pahang.

Tun Perak died in 1498 and was succeeded by his younger brother Tun Perpatih Putih. His death is often seen as marking the beginning of the decline of the Malacca Empire. Several places are named after him.