In the cultural custom of the Malays, ‘keris’ (a short or medium length dagger of the Malays) is a principal paraphernalia of nobility which symbolizes majesty, valour & authority. Incorporating the ‘keris’ as the symbol of authority of the University is consistent with the national aspiration of fortifying national culture.
Keris Ganja Seiras Melela is the name given to the keris of authority of this University. His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong VI Has graciously consented to bestow this keris on Monday 28 November 1977. This keris was first used during the second convocation on 3 Dicember 1977 & is still in use currently.
This keris of authority has 25 curves. The number of curves is in accordance with the number of favoured messengers of Allah totalling 25. The length of this keris is 104 centimeters & 6 kilograms in weight. The blade as well as the cross-piece before the hilt is made of yellow copper. The blade is smooth. The hilt of the keris is made of ivory resembling a horses hoof & carved with floral designs with curving pattern much like rolling clouds in the wind & coupled with interlacing motif of leaves. The metal ring at the base of the hilt is made of gold in the form of a pomegranate flower in bloom.
The sheath of the keris on the other hand is made of silver embellished with carvings of patterns resembling rolling clouds in the wind. The front of the sheath is a delicate engraving in Arabic script of the name of the university, via-a-vis UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA. The cross-piece of the sheath is in the form a One-day Moon Crescent & also engraved with patterns resembling rolling clouds in the wind together with the flowers being embossed & polished. The front of the cross-piece of the sheath is carved with the Nasional Emblem while the back portion is found the emblem of the University. Both of these emblems are made of gold.
