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POS MALAYSIA CELEBRATES THE 750TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF 
MELAKA WITH COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS AND FIRST DAY COVER 

KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday – Pos Malaysia Berhad in collaboration with the State Government of Melaka and Melaka Museums Corporation (PERZIM) will be issuing new stamps and First Day Cover to commemorate the 750th Anniversary of the Founding of the Malay – Melaka Empire. The stamps will be sold to the public on Monday, 8 October 2012.

Melaka has a strong and ancient link with Palembang. Once ruled by Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms of Srivijaya and Majapahit, Melaka and Palembang have different stories to tell. Palembang was the capital city of Srivijaya and had been established more than 700 years before Melaka was founded. When Palembang was already an important international trading port, Melaka was a nameless region languishing in the swampy backwaters.

Soon after it was founded by Parameswara, Melaka’s fame and fortune grew. Quickly she became the focal point of international trade and played host to traders from far and near. Melaka was also an important centre for the spread of Islam within the region. Under the protection of China during the Ming Dynasty, Melaka grew by leaps and bounds to become one the most important trading centres in the world during her time alongside Amsterdam and Genoa.

At her peak in the 15th century, Melaka attracted people from all parts of the world who spoke over 80 different languages besides Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) which was the lingua franca of the region; over 2,000 ships docked in her harbor at any one time. Peace and stability prevailed and Melaka thrived owing to good governance including the introduction of laws such as The Canons of Melaka and Melaka’s Maritime Laws.

“Pos Malaysia has always been involved in the issuance of stamps to commemorate historical milestones of Malaysia and we are very honoured for the opportunity to issue this Commemorative Stamp collection celebrating the 750th Anniversary of the founding of Melaka. We hope through this issue, it will enhance the awareness on Melaka as a historic city worldwide, and the Commemorative Stamps and philatelic items will be a valuable collection for all Malaysians, stamp collectors and philatelists all over the world,” said YBhg Dato' Khalid Abdol Rahman, Group Chief Executive Officer, Pos Malaysia Berhad.

The stamp, measuring 70mm x 25mm in size (14 perforations each), containing 15 pieces of stamps and printed on SPM Watermarked, phosphor coated paper are available in 2 designs featuring Cheng Hoon Teng temple and Masjid Kampung Hulu in 50sen and 90sen denominations respectively.

The Miniature Sheet at 110mm x 80mm in size contain a stamp measuring 70mm x 35mm with denomination of 750 sen (RM7.50).

** Further details are included in the enclosed brochure of the stamp collection.

First Day Cover is at 50 sen each and can be purchased at all Pos Malaysia Outlets countrywide. Folder at RM5.50 each is only available at selected outlets.

Stamp enthusiasts are advised to join SODA (Standing Order Deposit Account) to enjoy the convenience of receiving their stamps and other philatelic products without having to queue up at the post office on the day of issue. In addition to that customers can now enjoy the convenience of Online Philately at www.posonline.com.my to open SODA account, top up and check for the balance in their SODA account and update personal details.

For further information log on to www.pos.com.my or visit your nearest Pos Malaysia Outlet or the Stamp & Philately Division at 1st Floor, Pos Malaysia Headquarters, Dayabumi Complex, Kuala Lumpur. Alternatively, please call 03-2274 1122 ext. 6656 or e-mail tofilateli@pos.com.my for enquiries.