Malay land
Etymologically, the term "tanah melayu" is consisting from two Javanese words of "tanah" + "melayu". The word "tanah" literally means "land", indicating the area of human settlement or the region where human inhabit, while the "melayu" itself is a Javanese word which means "run", "runaway", or "flee". This word used to explain the historical origin of Malay people which actually a group of people originating from Java island, but runaway to Sumatra due to a civil war happened between two prince in a Javanese court. The conflict between Malay people and another group also occured in 15th century which resulted some Malay people 'runaway' again from Sumatra to the peninsular area near Sumatra which later known as 'Malay Peninsula' ( 'Kra Peninsula' or 'Malacca Peninsula'). This history is supported by the records in the Malay Annals itself. This recurrent loss of Malay people to defeat the Javanese people however resulting the word "melayu" translated as "wilt" or "wilted" in the Malay language itself, indicating the helplessness of the Malay people.