Dato' Dr. Annabel Teh Gallop - 2022

We will all pass on, but our writings will last, and that’s what keeps me going.

Dato’ Dr. Annabel Teh Gallop

Recipient of Anugerah Khas Merdeka 2022

British-born and Brunei-raised historian Dato’ Dr. Annabel Teh Gallop

WATCH FULL VIDEO

Health, Science and Technology

Dato' Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman

Recipient for Year 2022

Something that is worth doing is often tough, but the rewards can be big.

A British Historian Safeguarding the Rich Tapestry of Malay Manuscripts and Arts

Datuk Dr. Annabel Teh Gallop is a distinguished historian with a passion for unravelling the secrets hidden within historic manuscripts written in the Malay language.

Born in Britain and raised in Brunei, Dr. Gallop has dedicated over three decades to this unique endeavour, a feat achieved by very few.

Dr. Gallop's work has had a significant impact on our understanding of Malay history. Her research has challenged many of the long-held assumptions about the past and has provided new insights into the complex and fascinating history of the Malay world.

Dr. Gallop's contributions to the field of Malay history have been widely recognized.

Showing His Majesty the Yang Dipertuan Agong some of the Malay manuscripts in the British Library, December 2

Dr. Gallop's Path: From Mathematics, to Malay Studies

Initially majoring in mathematics, Dr. Gallop later earned a Master in Malay Studies and a Ph.D. on the Malay Seals.

Her academic prowess has been acknowledged through various roles, including serving on the editorial board for the journal “Indonesia and the Malay World” and being appointed as an adjunct professor at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu. She also co-directed the British Academy-funded research project "Islam, Trade, and Politics across the Indian Ocean" and served on the committee of the Association of Southeast Asian Studies in the UK (ASEASUK).

The Curator and Guardian of Malay Culture and Arts

Dr. Gallop heads the Southeast Asia section in the Asian and African Collections of the British Library, which boasts around 10,000 printed books, journals, newspapers, and 120 manuscripts in Malay and Jawi.

In recognition of her groundbreaking work on Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean writing traditions, book cultures, and the art of the Qur’an, Dr. Gallop was elected as a Fellow of the British Academy in September 2019.

Dr. Gallop’s current research focuses on Qur’anic art in Southeast Asia, highlighting the importance of material and cultural features in manuscripts alongside their textual content.

Additionally, she is digitising valuable old Malay papers to make them easily accessible for those eager to learn more. Her work has reignited interest in historic Malay manuscripts, which not only hold linguistic richness but are also adorned with intricate drawings and unspoken meanings.

Dr. Gallop's dedication and expertise have earned her a reputation as one of the foremost authorities on Southeast Asian studies.

Published in 2019, Malay Seals from the Islamic World of Southeast Asia, is a catalogue of over 2000 Malay Seals which span from the 16th century to the early 20th century

A Global Authority in the World of Malay Arts

Dr. Gallop is acknowledged as the world's foremost authority on ancient Malay letters, manuscripts, seals, and documents. Her eloquent and in-depth lectures have become indispensable at conferences across Southeast Asia and from London to Singapore.

Her remarkable influence has even earned her prestigious awards, including the recent Anugerah Budaya Gubernur Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta in 2021.

Dr. Gallop's impactful research, reaching beyond academic circles, is exemplified in her catalogue of over 2,168 Malay seals, a collaborative publication with the National University of Singapore Press, the British Library, and the Lontar Foundation in Indonesia, which vividly portrays the rich history spanning from the 16th to the early 20th century.

Her tireless dedication has not only unveiled the hidden treasures of Malay manuscripts but has also ensured their preservation in libraries and museums worldwide. Her exhibitions, awards, and publications solidify her as a beacon in the field of historical preservation and exploration.

Receiving the Darjah Setia Diraja Kedah (Honorary) from His Royal Highness the Regent of Kedah at Istana Anak Bukit, Alor Setar, in 2014

Disclaimer:
The information in this award recipient's profile is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the time the award was presented. Any subsequent changes, updates, or developments in the individual's life or achievements may not be reflected in this profile.

Other Recipients

Anugerah Harapan Merdeka

Samuel Isaiah

Sumbangan Luar Biasa kepada Alam Sekitar dan Kesihatan Planet

Global Environment Centre

Sumbangan Luar Biasa kepada Pendidikan dan Komuniti

Teach For Malaysia