WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN- NICE ONE

Dear all, Whatever our religions are, let's just take a moment to be thankful for all the blessings wh have and I'm sure we have plenty to be thankful.This is one of the nicest e-mails I have seen and is so true:

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels.

My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This Is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to GOD said in prayer are Received..'

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world..

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them.'

I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the Door of a very small station To my great surprise, only one angel was Seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' My angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed 'How Is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked.

'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked For, very few send back acknowledgments .'

'How does one acknowledge GOD's blessings?' I asked.

'Simple,' the angel answered. Just say, 'Thank you, LORD.'

'What blessings should they acknowledge?' I asked.

'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy .'

'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.'

Also ......

' If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day .'

'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation .. You are ahead of 700 million people in the world.'
'If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare .'

'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair.'

Ok, what now? How can I start?

Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else - appreciate how blessed we all are.

A TTN:

Acknowledgment Dept.: 'Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with.

Friends

The Value of Friendship: "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labour. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, New Living Translation) -- Su Chun.


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Give this to everyone you don't want to lose in 2011 including me if you care... Try to collect 12, it's not easy!





















YOU HAVE 20 MINUTES TO TELL 6 FRIENDS THAT YOU LOVE THEM (INCLUDING ME) TOMORROW'S NOT PROMISED. SO , I LOVE YOU! GO!

A Cherokee Legend

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him an leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.



Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him
harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.



We, too, are never alone.

Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, Sitting on the stump beside us.

When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.


If you liked this story, pass it on.
If not, you took off your blindfold before dawn.

Moral of the story:

Just because you can't see God,
Doesn't mean He is not there..

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Crazy but not Stupid

Crazy but not stupid NICE ONE with a Moral



One truck driver was doing his usual load delivery at a mental hospital, by parking his vehicle beside an open drain.



He discovered a flat Tyre when he was about to return from the mental hospital. He jacked up the truck and removed the flat Tyre to fix the spare Tyre.



When he was about to fix the spare Tyre, he accidentally dropped all the four bolts in the open drain.



As he cannot fish the bolts in the open drain, he started to panic as to what should be done?



Just then, one patient happened to walk past him and asked the driver as to why he was looking troubled.



The driver thought to himself, since there is nothing much he can do or this mental joker can. Just to keep the bugging away, the truck driver informed the whole episode to the mental patient and gave a helpless look.



The patient just laughed at the truck driver and said you just cannot even fix such a simple problem? No wonder you are destined to remain a truck driver for life.



The truck driver was astonished to hear such a compliment from a mental guy.



Here is what you can do said the mental guy.



Take one bolt from each of the remaining three Tyre's/wheels and fix it on to this Tyre. Then drive down to the nearest workshop and replace the missing ones. Isn't it simple my friend!!!!



The truck driver was so impressed with this quick fix answer and asked the patient, how come you are so smart and intelligent and you are here at the mental hospital?



The patient replied...hello friend! I stay here because I am crazy but not stupid.



No wonder, there are some people, who behave like the Truck Driver, thinking that others are just stupid. So, guys, though you all are learned and wise, but, just watch out, there could be some CRAZY guys in our professional / personal lives, who could give us lot of quick fixes and brush our wisdom.



The moral of the story is - Just do not conclude that you know everything and do not judge people by mere looks/attire stature or academic background.

Feng Shui

There's some mighty fine advice in these words, even if you're not superstitious. This Lotus Touts has been sent to you for good luck from the Anthony Robbins organization. It has been sent around the world ten times so far.





The Lotus Touts must leave your hands in 6 MINUTES. Otherwise you will get a very unpleasant surprise. This is true, even if you are not superstitious, agnostic, or otherwise faith impaired.



ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.



TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.



THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.



FOUR.. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.



FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.



SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.



SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.



EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.



NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.



TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.



ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.



TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.



THIRTEEN! .. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'



FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.



FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.



SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.



SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.



EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.



NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.



TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice



TWENTY- ONE.. Spend some time alone.




A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart

I Pity Japan

I am writing this to confort the Japanese not to feel sad upon the
tragedy that took place last week. God is a merciful. God bless you
Japan. We are trying to help by praying and giving donations to you
Japan. As Malaysian, we all should feel proud as there is no tsunami
or earthquake in our country. We are consider lucky. We pray that God
will stop bringing all the disasters to this world and we pray for
repentance of sins.

A Complaint Letter

Nowadays, I always keep problems to myself. I hate myself being blind. I'm sorry to say that some people are being hypocrites, which is a bad attitude. They pretend to be kind. There are some people who change: from good to bad. I won't mention their names, and please don't ask me. But please do give me an encouragement after reading my blog. As a blind girl, I'm very sensitive: how people talk to me, treat me, or are they being sincere or not. I hate people talking to me loudly, and I don't like to be treated rudely. If everyone understands the sufferings of each other and helps one another in times of difficulties, isn't it good? I feel that this world is very unfair. People are becoming more cruel than the past. That's why God brings disasters to this world to make us realize our sins. God hopes that we will repent, and God love sinners eventhough He hates sins. I hope that this world will be a beautiful place to live in one day. Everyone must play our part to make changes to this world.

Ex lover-Girlfriend Assistance - Obtaining Again Your Ex-Lover

If you as well as your ex have split up, you'll be going through one
of two feelings. Possibly you'll be feeling a great feeling of relief
otherwise you may very well be considering that you're even now in
really like together with your ex-girlfriend. In case you are still in
adore with your previous spouse, you might should think about what you
will need to complete in an effort to get her back again into your
daily life. Thankfully, there exists a good amount of ex-girlfriend
information out there to guideline you.

Amongst the largest pieces of ex-girlfriend tips somebody can give you
should be to cease regularly pestering your ex. Several women and men
make the mistake of endeavoring to badger their previous companion
into submission. They wish that finally their ex will break down and
accept them back again into their lives. Though this might sound like
a good idea whenever you are desperate, you must realize that it
isn't. If you are really intent on receiving your ex back again, you
should take this piece of ex-girlfriend tips. In the event you get
back with each other simply because you pressured her into, your
romance will not work out in the long run. If you genuinely do
appreciate your ex, demonstrate her some consideration and respect.
Repeatedly calling her and asking her to reconcile hardly ever ever
before performs.

A further important piece of ex-girlfriend advice is usually that you
ought to not be also great to be able to get her keen on you yet
again. Calling her continuously to chart about her day or exhibiting
up with flowers and presents is wasting your time and hers. You need
to grasp that you are unable to get back the adore of the old
companion.

The last thing which you prefer to do is seem as if you are coming on
also powerful or are needy. Most ex-girlfriend information
professionals will tell you that you will must seem as if you will be
performing nicely so that you can get your companion again.

The truth with the circumstance is that individuals will not be
interested in needy men and women or those that come on too strong. In
order to be captivating in your ex and other females it's best to be
self-sufficient and self-confident. Don't contact her regularly and
stay your lifestyle. After your companion has witnessed that you are
engaging in good with out them they may see the individual that they
fell in really like with in the first place. If not, you will appeal
to someone else with this conduct and move on.
Author Resource:- I urge you to go through everything around the next
page ahead of it truly is too late, as well as time runs out in your
connection:

My Role In Creating A Peaceful World.

I believe that everyone aims for a peaceful and harmonious world.
Everyone of us plays a major role in creating a peaceful world. As a
blind person, I have my vision of how to make this world peace as
well. I will not give up in realizing my vision. A peaceful world is
very important to ensure the safety of the world. If there is no peace
in this world, we will live in fear.

Firstly, I can contribute peace to this world by playing piano. Most
youngsters are musically-inclined. They can play many types of musical
instruments such as the guitar, violin and piano. Being able to
produce music on an instrument is one of the greatest pleasures that a
person can have. "Music soothes the savage beast", as it is said. One
does not have to be a savage beast to be soothed. Everyone is soothed
by music. Music heals the soul. There are many types of music such as
classical music, baroque music, etc. Everyone enjoys listening to
music as it is lively. Music helps to release stress after a long
period of working. This vision can be realize if everyone appreciates
music.

Next, a peaceful world can be achieved through religion. Every
religion teaches us to be good. If we follow our religious teachings,
we will not be influenced by negative activities. Religion plays a
major role in creating world peace. In Christianity, peace is one of
the nine Fruits of Spirits. To improve our personality, we can bring
our friends and relatives to church. In this way, we will be able to
accept Christ who is our savior. Individually, we should often pray
for peace because only God can give us peace. Peace is a fundamental
doctrine of Christianity and humanity. Sometimes, it is very
disappointing to depend on others to give us peace as they can let us
down. The younger generation of the world can realize this vision if
everyone cooperates with each other and respect others no matter what
religion they are.

As a blind person, I always complain and grumble about life. I am
always feeling unhappy with my weaknesses. But I try to improve
myself. I feel that we should always be happy with what we have. We
should put aside all the negative thoughts that we have and be more
optimistic. This can create a peaceful mind and heart. Although I am
blind, I have a deep sense that this world is no longer beautiful.
Everyday, when we read the newspapers, we encounter news of terrorism,
criminal, world war, etc. We feel sad upon reading these tragic events
that take place between countries.We are worried most of the time
about our safety. In 2009, I encountered a serious problem when my
parents fought and quarreled all the time. This created a habit for me
to constantly lock my door when the quarrel took place. So I did not
have peace almost everyday and felt miserable all the time. I now
realize that it is important to maintain our family relationships.
When we have problems, we should discuss in a nice tone of voice. We
should consider the feeling of others. Parents should be educated on
marriage. They should not find the easiest way to divorce with the
other party. This will affect the children's emotion. Marriage problem
can be solved if husband and wife are faithful to each other. They
should be God-fearing and obey the teaching of Christ. A happy family
can be achieved if one bears the burden of each other. If the whole
community is happy, the world will have peace as well. I often cry
when I face problems. I easily feel offended and hate those who have
hurt me. As a good Christian, I should learn to forgive others. Hating
others will not give any peace to me and also to the world. I have
some friends who are caring about me. They have touched my life by
giving me a call and listening to me when I share my problems with
them. As I cannot see, I need protection. I do not want to be
harassed. I must not worry so much as others have worst problems than
I have. To create a peaceful world, everyone should be happy, joyful
and love one another as one family.

Last but not least, there should not be any racial discrimination in
this world. The situation that happened on 13th May 1969 gives a
lesson to us for not repeating the mistake again. We should learn to
accept and understand other races and cultures. One should not
criticize about the weaknesses of other races as it causes
misunderstanding to the world. No one wants to live in the world of
tragedy. Therefore, the younger generation should start now to mix
with those of different colours, languages and races. In the past, our
world was not peaceful. We suffered from World War I and World War Ii.
There is much changes now. I hope the harmony and peace of the world
can be maintained.
[849 words]

Funny Experience

I had an embarassing experience on last Saturday, 12th of February. I went to church on that night. My brother's friend came to my house. He drove a Perodua Auza. When my brother wanted to send me home, he was following his friend's car. At the same time, a man who was waiting for his son, also using the same car as my brother's friend. It was exactly the same car except that the plate no, is different. So my brother brought me in to the wrong car. As it was night time, he couldn't see the plate no. When I got in to the car, I greeted the driver without knowing I was in the wrong car. When my brother took the front seat, the driver said, "are you sure this is the right car?" We were surprised and appologized the driver. We got down the car and got into the friend's car. People were laughing at us for getting into the wrong car. We went home laughing out loud. We told my parents about what has happened. They were laughing, feeling funny.

Celebration of Chinese New Year

On the Eve of Chinese New Year, my mum cooked Lots of delicious foods for my family members. I have five members in my family. My mum had a busy day that day. She cooked fried chickens, fried prawns, fish, vegetables, noodle, soup, etc. I enjoyed her cooking so much! I ate to my heart's content. I praised her as she is a good cook. After dinner, we all gathered round waiting for people playing fireworks. On the first day of CNY, we went to church to celebrate CNY . After that, we went to Pastor's house. Not many people came to my house on the first day. On the seconnd day, there were many people coming to my house. Some of them were my classmates. I was very tired on that day. On the third day, my MUET teacher came to my house. Pastor and some church members also came. I demonstrated to them how I as a blind person use the computer and play piano. They were very surprised. My pastor's wife even recorded my piano playing. On the fourth day, I really had a hectic day. After church service, I joined the youth of the church for a visitation. We went to eight houses. We were served with lots of delicious foods and I was very full. We also collected many Ang Paus. My family gave me the most Ang Pau. My dad gave Rm1000, my mum gave me 200 and my second brother gave me Rm50. I was feeling very excited as We can have the joy on the New Year.

The Wonders Of Rhinoplasty Surgery

The nose is one of the most vital parts of our face and it is one of
the first features people notice when they first meet you. Most of us
are not born with a perfect aquiline nose, yet all of us crave for
that perfect nose such as that of Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts. People
often feel that they have no choice but to accept their unsightly
nose. But not anymore, thanks to cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is
much more commonplace today and much more accessible to people in
general. Plastic surgery has become much more popular and has advanced
to such an extent that it give you an entirely new look depending on
your aesthetic desire.

One of the more popular procedures is rhinoplasty, or more commonly
called the nose job. Rhinoplasty surgery either involves
reconstructive surgery to improve the function of the nose to correct
birth defects or breathing problems, or cosmetic surgery to improve
the aesthetic appearance of the nose. It can be combined with other
surgical procedures such as chin augmentation to enhance the aesthetic
results.

Rhinoplasty's emergence as one of the most popular form of cosmetic
surgery points to the fact that many people are dissatisfied with the
appearance of their nose and are willing to go to great lengths to
improve their looks dramatically through rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty
surgery allows you to enhance your looks by reducing the size of your
nose if you think it is too long; or by increasing the size of the
nose if you think it is too short on your face.

Not only does rhinoplasty procedure help change the size of your nose,
it can also change other features and looks of your nose to attain
your desired look. Your rhinoplasty surgeon can reshape the tip or the
bridge of your nose. If you think your nostrils are too big, then
request the rhinoplasty surgeon to narrow down the span of the
nostrils. If you do not like the gap between your nose and your upper
lip because you think it is too big, then rhinoplasty can help you
reduce this gap and flaunt the curvature of your upper lips.

Or you may be a new mother dismayed over the fact that your little
daughter was born with a birth defect on her nose, but thanks to
rhinoplasty this birth defect can be easily rectified. Or you may have
sustained an injury to your nose; or your child may suffer from
breathing troubles due to nose shape irregularities. Rhinoplasty can
help eliminate all these problems too.

Before resorting to rhinoplasty, be sure to consult with a certified
rhinoplasty surgeon or plastic surgeon for a thorough consultation. Be
sure to also inquire about the rhinoplasty cost.

Are You Fired Up About America? Nothing Communicates Like Honesty

One day I was tuning up and down the radio dial as I drove down the
Interstate. Time after time, I landed on talk shows featuring callers
that were simply dismayed at the direction America is going.

They were frustrated that so many important issues were either being
glossed over or ignored by federal, state, and local government. It
was clear that a great many people were highly concerned, yet felt
helpless to do anything about it.

That's when I decided to design some t-shirts with patriotic messages
and try selling them at public events. Boy did it work! Typically we
set up our tent and sell dozens of shirts to people who thank us right
and left for putting their feelings into words on a t-shirt they can
wear and be proud of.

And that brings us to an even more important point. Americans have a
FIRST Amendment RIGHT to speak their minds. It's not the Fifth
Amendment or the Thirteenth Amendment -- it's the FIRST and perhaps
most important.

But while speaking our minds is clearly at the foundation of what it
means to be Americans, the vast majority of us feel we can't make a
difference. Therefore, we don't even try.

Over and over I hear from people who are fired up about major issues,
yet keep their thoughts to themselves. Often they mistakenly feel
they're the only one who feels that way.

After wearing one of my shirts they quickly see the purpose of our
tees to stem the tide of division and empower those who are willing to
STAND.

Instead of everyone going their own private way, concentrating on
being politically correct, you have people enthusiastically sharing
ideas, passions, and concerns. And you know what, folks? That's where
real solutions come from.

We shouldn't plug away at our lives while we trust all the important
issues to the government. There are a lot of good people in
government, but they don't have all the good ideas. And government, by
its nature, can't solve problems well WITHOUT the help of its
citizenry.

So speak up! Write a letter to the editor, call a radio talk show, put
up a website, and tell others what you think. And most important call
your elected officials to let them know you're alive and well. You
will feel better. You will have more impact. And you will be living
the life of a truly patriotic American.

what is Brainwave Entrainment and what's for

Brainwave entrainment is mainly in regards to the synchronization of
our brain's controlling brainwaves with an exterior supply of periodic
stimulus. This stimulus can be aural, for example the case of binaural
beats, monaural beats or isochronic tones. It also can be visible, as
within the case of flickering lights. Doctors know now than the
stimulus could be even bodily, as with periodic corporeal vibrations
on a muscle or nerve, so it's good to take a therapeutic massage
periodically. Lately electromagnetic fields have been used to get
entrainment effects. In addition, a mixture of them is extra
effective.

By using brainwave entrainment intentionally we are able to obtain the
muchdesired psychological state corresponding to arousal or
relaxation. It really works based mostly on the "frequency following
response" (FFR) principle. This can be a naturally occurring
phenomenon the place the human brain exhibits the tendency to vary its
dominant EEG frequency towards the frequency of the external stimulus.

As said before, to generate the sounds to realize entrainment, you
should utilize the following strategies: binaural beats, monaural
beats and isochronic tones. Right here a definition of every one:

Binaural Beats

Binaural beats induce in your brain desired waves by playing separate
tones in each ear. The mind compensates for the distinction which
creates a 3rd frequency inside the brain. For instance, a 300hz sound
performed within the left ear, and a 305hz performed in the precise
ear, induce in your mind a frequency of 5Hz, which is a low Theta
state. By changing the distinction between the frequencies, you may
achieve any state you want. To use this sort of entrainment you will
need headphones.

Monaural Beats

Monaural beats are produced with one tone that pulses on and off in a
particular pattern. With only one tone (otherwise from the two tones
utilized in binaural beats). Actually, with binaural beats the
stimulation happens inside your mind in the meantime with monaural
beats the stimulation occurs outside. It is believed that the mind
adjusts simply to moaurals as a result of there isn't a must
steadiness separate tones. To listen monaural beats, you need to use
audio system or headphones.

Isochronic Tones

Isochronic tones, equally to monoaural beats, both use equal depth
tones that pulse on and off at completely different speeds, however
here the heartbeat speed is greater. When the speeds are elevated,
they synchronize your mind with the rhythm. Depending on the sample of
the tones in addition to the velocity, you possibly can obtain all
sorts of altered mind states quickly and really effectively. You
should use speakers or headphones to listen to monaural beats.

Some folks react favorably to every one in all these techniques:
monaural beats, isochronic tones or binaural beats. Some people don't
so it is a matter of attempting every one in every of these methods to
see what works higher for you.

Concerning the utility of brainwave entrainment sessions, they have
proven be useful within the remedy of the following afflictions:

- Stress reduction
- Nervousness discount
- Despair reduction
- Sleep induction
- Chronic Pain aid
- Migraine reduction
- Therapeutic (enhance of the growth hormone)
- Addiction discount
- Hypertension - blood pressure
- Insomnia help
- Pre-menstrual aid
- Power naps

As well as, brainwave entrainment is used also as a imply to boost
your mental abilities corresponding to:

- Creativity
- IQ increase
- Alertness
- Athletic efficiency
- Focus
- Motivation
- Before examination/speech anxiety reduction

Lastly, others claim to have obtained success in distant viewing,
telepathy, and even out-of-body experiences and lucid dreaming.

In conclusion, brainwave entrainment is a helpful, no intrusive,
inexpensive, and unfortunately unknown technology to get away from
many mental afflictions and, in addition, is a natural tonic of the
brain. In fact, just lately, an increasing group of researchers and
users worldwide which have been observed rediscovering this
technology.

The Johor Empire

After the fall of Melaka to the Portuguese, Sultan Mahmud of Melaka
and his eldest son, Ahmad, took refuge in the hinterland, hoping that
the Portuguese invaders would, after plundering the town, return to
their colonial base in Goa, India - as was the custom in wars of the
time. Much to his dismay, the Portuguese not only stayed but also set
upon the tremendous task of building an impregnable fort overlooking
the town. This clearly stated their intention to remain permanently in
Melaka and their determination to resist any attempt by the defeated
Sultan to re-capture his capital. Six months after the capture of
Melaka, the stone fortress, 'A Famosa', was ready. The Portuguese were
permanently established as the supreme military, naval and trading
power on the Straits, in place of the old Melaka sultanate.

In the meantime, Sultan Mahmud and his son built stockades in the
hinterland of Melaka for carrying out raids on the Portuguese fortress
in Melaka. Overland raids were carried out from Pagoh, in Ulu Muar,
while sea raids were launched from the stockade in Bentayan at the
mouth of the Muar River. For over a period of time, intermittent raids
were carried out both by land and sea caused considerable hardship for
the Portuguese at Melaka. There were times when the Portuguese wanted
to give up the idea of staying on in Melaka and return to Goa. But
eventually, fresh reinforcements arrived and the Portuguese
counter-attacked, destroying the Malay strongholds of Pagoh and
Bentayan. Sultan Mahmud and his followers withdrew further inland
through Ulu Jempol to Pahang. After about a year in Pahang, Sultan
Mahmud and his family sailed to Bentan where he established a new
capital.

The defeat of the Royal House of Melaka aroused not only the loyal
Malay followers of the ex-Sultan Mahmud. There was still a
considerable number of Javanese and they detested the policy of the
Portuguese government to monopolise trade and spread Christianity
among the inhabitants. One revolt was organised by a Javanese named
Patih Kadir, but the Portuguese succeeded in crushing it. Later, a
strong force of Javanese soldiers under the leadership of Patih Yunus,
prince of the Muslim state of Demak, besieged Melaka. But the fortress
repelled all attacks and the invaders retreated with the arrival of
reinforcements from Goa.

Sultan Mahmud continued his attacks from Bentan, organising
hit-and-run raids on the fort in Melaka, blockading the port and
plundering Portuguese ships in the Straits. These raids and blockades
were, to a certain extent, quite effective. In 1524, for instance, the
price of commodities in Melaka was more than doubled. But the town
remained in Portuguese hands.

The fall of the Melaka Sultanate also had repercussions on the Malay
states on the Sumatran coast across the Straits of Melaka. The states
particularly affected were those which had been subject to Melaka,
such as Lingga, Siak, Indragiri and Aru, now the present state of
Deli. The princes of these states with their followers went to Sultan
Mahmud at Bentan with a view to helping him re-capture Melaka.

However, Raja Abdullah, a nephew of Sultan Mahmud, and the Raja of
Kampar went over to the Portuguese side and was made a Bendahara of
Melaka by them. Not long after, the Portuguese themselves turned on
the traitor and he was executed in a public market.

Seeing that the Malays under Sultan Mahmud were gathering forces in
Bentan, the Portuguese made several attempts to invade and destroy the
stronghold. But the Malays threw back the attacks and the Portuguese
suffered heavy losses. Finally in 1526, a larger force of Portuguese
ships under the command of Pedro Mascarenhaas was sent to Bentan, and
this time, the Portuguese managed to burn and plunder the towns of
Kopak and Kota Kara. Sultan Mahmud and his family fled across the
Straits to Kampar in Sumatra, where he died two years later.

After his death, his son, Raja Mudzafar, made his way up to Perak
where he founded the dynasty of Malay sultans who still reign there
today. In 1520, another son of Sultan Mahmud, Ala'uddin, made his
capital on the Johor River and became the first Sultan of Johor -
founding the Johor Empire.

In the meantime, attacks on the Portuguese in Melaka continued. The
two sons of Sultan Mahmud made periodical raids from Johor and Perak,
and they were helped by the Sultan of Pahang. There were also raids
from Siak and by a Javanese prince from Japara. But most of the raids
were disorganised attacks by small bands of Malays, and the Portuguese
maintained supremacy behind their impregnable 'A Famosa'. The Johor
rulers continued preying on Portuguese merchant vessels, and the
Portuguese retaliated by sending punitive expeditions.

At about the same time a new power was rising among the Malay states -
the Kingdom of Aceh, which had long been a strongly Muslim State. The
Achinese crossed the Straits of Melaka in great numbers to carry out
raids on their trading rival, Melaka. For the Achinese, the wars
against Melaka were also part of a policy of expansion into the Malay
Peninsula - they not only attacked Melaka but also raided Johor,
Pahang, Perak and Kedah. Ironically, it was this Achinese threat that
made the Portuguese and the Johor Malays frequently enjoy periods of
truce, and even to ally themselves and co-operate with one another
against a common enemy. This disunity among the Malay powers resulted
in a further prolonging of the supremacy of the Portuguese.

Johor entered into a ruinous war with the Sumatran state of Jambi in
1666, a war which ended in the destruction of the Johor capital at
Batu Sawar in 1673. Court intrigues, and disputes over succession to
the throne undermined the vitality of Johor. In the eighteenth
century, Johor became an easy prey to Bugis infiltration.

For long periods, the Portuguese in Melaka were on the defensive:
politically isolated, and numerically inferior to their enemies.
During their rule, Melaka became the most fought-over piece of
territory in Asia - bombarded, besieged, blockaded, attacked dozens of
times by almost every major power in the Archipelago.

But despite such strong handicaps, they successfully fought off every
Malay attack on Melaka. The Malay powers failed because they were
unable to form a united front against the Portuguese. Disunity rather
than unity was the feature of Malay politics in the sixteenth century,
and the presence of a common enemy was at that time not sufficient to
bring about some form of coalition. Malay states were even at times
briefly allied the infidel Portuguese in their wars against other
Malay states.

It was left to another European power to organise this coalition and
to finally overthrow Portuguese power in Melaka. .
River forts of Johor