Everything Everywhere Daily · Thursday, September 10, 2026
To maintain control over the Strait of Malacca, Srivijaya employed the Orang Laut, indigenous seafaring peoples known for their exceptional maritime skills. By integrating them into the empire, granting them titles and a share of the trade profits, Srivijaya effectively created an imperial navy that patrolled trade routes, enforced tariffs, and ruthlessly dealt with any vessels that resisted.
“To secure their control over the strait, Srivijaya leaders turned to the Orang Laut. Orang Laut translates to sea peoples.”
“The Srivijaya didn't conquer these people; they hired them.”
“By giving the Orang Laut a share of the trade and granting them imperial titles, the Srivijayan rulers made them the de facto imperial navy.”