Stories from Deli

Bataviaasch handelsblad 26-11-1880

The assistant resident of Deli recently traveled to Laboean Deli to collect lease payments. While there, he was visited by the djaksa (a legal officer) who, on behalf of the Sultan, conveyed that the Sultan had heard from the resident that the assistant resident informed the resident that the Sultan had received a ring worth 10,000 guilders upon the departure to Europe of Mr. Straatman, the head administrator of the Deli Company. The djaksa stated that the Sultan was very upset about this and wanted to know who had told the assistant resident this information. The story of the ring was a well-known secret in Deli for months. The resident knew about it as well as everyone else. What was the resident’s intention in telling the Sultan about this? Nothing but to cause discord between the assistant resident and the Sultan, which was necessary to support the Chinese accusers. It surprises everyone that the djaksa, on behalf of the Sultan, dared to ask such a question of the head of local administration. Such a thing has never happened in Deli before and clearly shows that there is a higher influence at play. Where is this leading? It is high time the government puts an end to this situation if it does not want to lose its moral authority in these regions.

(Private Correspondence from the Batavian Newspaper)
Deli, November 12, 1880.

The Chinese Khoe Tay Liam, one of the accusers, came to Deli as a young coolie. He previously traded in the Batak lands and learned to speak Batak well during his time as a klontong (traveling merchant). The Bataks often come to him for their purchases. His compatriots estimate his wealth at 30,000 guilders. He is a friend of the resident, even from when the resident was still assistant resident of Deli. Khoe Tay Liam recently hosted seven Batak doessoen (village) chiefs for several days, and they returned to their villages with the intention, it is said, of gathering their subordinates—reportedly about two thousand of them—to come and protest to the Sultan against the detention of the said Chinese by the assistant resident. Khoe Tay Liam’s association, carrying the red flag, is said to have raised approximately 20,000 guilders to cover all costs. Khoe Tay Liam reportedly boasted that he was not as insignificant as he had been portrayed in the newspapers. It is ridiculous if that lame little man, an ex-coolie, made such statements.

Here is a question for those who know the Chinese, especially one with something to lose: Would a Chinese dare to undertake such actions if he had any doubt about the approval of the powerful? The resident, who has spies everywhere and knows almost everything, would hardly have been unaware of this when he left Deli to return to Bengkalis instead of going to Assahan as originally planned, to hold the lease on the 13th of this month. Why does the resident want to meet the judge first? The accusers, who received a telegram from their lawyer in Batavia via Pinang, informed the resident of the arrival of Mr. Gips and Mr. Bleckman. He himself could not have received written notice. We know that the resident often wrote in the Java Bode. This could be proven by his articles against Resident Faes, to whom he owes so much, and against the former controller of the 1st class of Langkat, S.W. Tromp Jr. Indeed, a splendid action towards a subordinate official.

In September, when the intrigue against Mr. Bosch was in full swing, the resident, which had never happened before, arrived unexpectedly at Belawan, the anchorage of Deli, more than an hour’s row from Laboean Deli, without the usual shots to announce his arrival. He came ashore in the dark and went directly to the agent of the lessee, his confidant, and a member of the accuser’s association; afterward, he went to his friend, Mr. Humme, who was assisting the Chinese in this matter, where he met Controller Sieburgh, with whom he spent the night. Further commentary is unnecessary for now. We say there is a danger to the peace in Deli. Who knows what actions will follow?

For the East Coast of Sumatra, even more than elsewhere, there is a need for a civilized, honest, competent, and upright head of regional administration, who is not concerned with money or making a large fortune, but who is imbued with a sense of duty towards the government, which entrusts him with such great interests, and towards the industrialists, who must find support in him without distinction of persons, sympathies, or antipathies. Only then will the development of these beautiful regions progress calmly to the benefit of the country and the industry. The government has so far been unlucky in choosing many of its officials for this coast, and those who met most of the requirements were usually transferred elsewhere after a shorter or longer stay, after they had familiarized themselves with the local conditions. As a result, the administration of this residency lacks unity and strength, is not sufficiently respected by the princes and chiefs, and becomes untenable for many officials. It is said that Mr. Bosch briefly considered requesting a transfer to escape the quagmire of injustices in which he finds himself. He reconsidered, urged by some well-wishers, realizing that the national interest should not be subordinated to personal feelings. It is to be hoped that this official, against whom the resident can bring no honest complaint, will be supported by the government, as a good official deserves, so that he does not lose the courage to continue on the same independent, honest path.