The Malayonesian Decimal Number System in Malay Preceded the Decimal System Introduced Through the English Language

(Reka Cipta Sistem Bilangan Perpuluhan Malayonesia dalam Bahasa Melayu Mendahului Sistem Bilangan Perpuluhan dalam Bahasa Inggeris)

Abstract

The existence of the Malayonesian Civilization, whose scholars expressed themselves in Malay, especially during the time of Islamic influence, has not yet been acknowledged by Western scholars because of the lack of evidence of high achievements in the fields of science and technology. In an effort to address this lack, research has been carried out since the 1990s to unearth original scientific works in Malay which were ahead of their time, especially when compared to the advancements made by the English. The research shows that the number system in Malay was not only based on a decimal system but also existed far earlier than the English one, and that it is, in fact, one of the oldest in the world. This contradicts the commonly-held view that the decimal number system originates from the Hindu, Islamic or Khmer civilizations.

Keywords: Malay science and mathematics, history of Malayonesian science and mathematics, Malay ethnoscience and ethnomathematics, Malayonesian ethnoscience and ethnomathematics.