A spotlight illuminates a bronze statue in the center of a room at the National Art Gallery in Malaysia. The figure depicted is squatting with ease, elbows on thighs, long hair draping his shoulders, and wearing clothes reminiscent of a pirate or early explorer. The plaque underneath the statue reads: “In memory of Enrique of Malacca, who contributed greatly to the first circumnavigation of the world, 1511-1521.” But exactly how great that contribution was could use some clarification. Enrique’s name is rarely mentioned in history books, if at all, yet…
