The Melaka Administrative System

Malacca had a well-defined government with a set of laws. On top of

the sultanate's hierarchy sat the Sultan and he was an absolute
monarch. The earlier Srivijayan concept of kingship that the king's
authority to rule was based on legitimate lineage still prevailed, and
with the coming of Islam, it was reintroduced with the name daulat
(sovereignty). Malacca's legal codes identified five main state officials
appointed by the Sultan.

1. the Bendahara or Chief Minister

Below the Sultan was a Bendahara, a position similar to that of a
vizier, who acted as an advisor to the Sultan. It was the highestranking office that could be held by any common people in Malacca.
Bendahara was also responsible for ensuring cordial relations with
foreign states. Malacca's fifth Bendahara, Tun Perak, excelled in both
war and diplomacy. Twice during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, Tun
Perak successfully led Malaccan armed forces in repelling Siamese
attacks on Malacca. When Sultan Mansur Shah ascended the throne,
acting on Tun Perak's advice, he agreed to dispatch a peace envoy to
Siam. Tun Perak also advised the Sultan to marry the daughter of the
King of Majapahit, Malacca's traditional enemy.

2. the Penghulu Bendahari or Finance Minister

Next to Bendahara was a state treasurer, called Penghulu
bendahari. He takes care of the collection of taxes and ufti which is
like a gift that a ruled Kingdom gives it's conqueror. He also takes care
of everything financial related. Hes also the one who is in charge of
the Syahbandar.

3. the Temenggung or Minister of Defense

Later comes the Temenggung which more or less a chief of public
police and state security. He is the Head of Police and Jails and he is
also in charge of the Town of Melaka.

4. the Laksamana or Admiral

After Temenggung, a Laksamana's authority is paramount. He

was the head of the navy and also chief emissary of the Sultan. He
ensured that the Malacca Straits was safe and enforced the Undang-

Undang Laut Melaka ('Maritime Laws of Malacca'). Malacca's most

prominent Laksamana was the legendary Hang Tuah.

5. the Syahbandar or Harbour Master

At the bottom of this nobility structure is the four Shahbandars
('harbour masters') for the different communities in the port - one
focused exclusively on handling the affairs of the Gujarati traders;
another was responsible for traders from Southern India, Bengal,
Burma and Pasai; a third for traders from Maritime Southeast Asia; and
fourth for traders from Annam, China and the Ryukyu Islands. As the
Gujaratis were the most dominant, numbering up to 1000 traders, their
Shahbandar was regarded as the important of the four. Lesser titled
state officials were also appointed. They were known as the Orang
Besar. In addition, a governor called the Mandulika oversaw the
administration of appanages and territories annexed by conquest.

This elite group of officials were the foundation of the power and
sovereignty of the Malay Kingdom of Melaka, which ruled the Malay
World for 111 years. The sultanate was governed with several set of
laws. The formal legal text of traditional Malacca consisted of the
Undang-Undang Melaka (Laws of Malacca), variously called the Hukum
Kanun Melaka and Risalat Hukum Kanun, and the Undang-Undang Laut
Melaka (the Maritime Laws of Malacca'). The laws as written in the
legal digests went through an evolutionary process. The legal rules
that eventually evolved were shaped by three main influences, namely
the early non-indigenous Hindu/Buddhist tradition, Islam and the
indigenous "adat".

*The words Melaka and Malacca are used interchangeably today. Both means the
same place in Malaysia. Melaka is probably the more modern form of the word.

Reference
http://www.malaysian-explorer.com/muziumNegaraB27.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malacca_Sultanate#Administration