The strategic value of the Strait of Malacca, which was controlled by Sultanate of Malacca in the 15th and early 16th century, did not go unnoticed by Portuguese writer Duarte Barbosa, who in 1500 wrote "He who is lord of Malacca has his hand on the throat of Venice".
Strateška vrijednost Malajskog prolaza, kojeg je u 15. i ranom 16. stoljeću nadzirao Sultanat Malacca, nije prošla neopaženo od portugalskog pisca Duartea Barbose koji je 1500. godine napisao "Onaj tko je gospodar Malacce drži ruku na grkljanu Venecije".