Cianjur Regent's Wealth Contrasts with People's Suffering Under Forced Cultivation

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Cianjur region is known as a prosperous area on the island of Java, largely due to its abundant plantation commodities. This prosperity was underpinned by massive coffee production. Historically, Cianjur was one of the main coffee-producing centres in the Priangan region, achieving very high production figures in its time. This condition elevated the social status of the local elite, including the regent, who enjoyed a flood of wealth from the prevailing economic system.

Dutch historian Jan Breman, in his book ‘Keuntungan Kolonial dari Kerja Paksa: Sistem Perdagangan dari Tanam Paksa Kopi di Jawa 1720-1870’ (Colonial Profits from Forced Labour: The Preanger System of Forced Coffee Cultivation in Java, 1720-1870, 2014), notes that during the forced cultivation era (1830-1870), Cianjur was the largest coffee producer in the Priangan region. In 1806, its production even reached approximately 1.5 million pounds of coffee.

This wealth elevated the position of the local elite, including the regent. According to historian Nina Herlina Lubis in ‘Kehidupan Kaum Menak Priangan, 1800-1942’ (The Life of the Priangan Elite, 1800-1942, 1998), the regents were the wealthiest group in their regions. They derived income from salaries, taxes, and unwritten feudalistic practices.

However, this prosperity was not shared by the common people. Instead, the populace bore the heavy burden of the forced coffee cultivation system. The farmers’ hard work became the foundation of the region’s wealth, but the proceeds largely flowed into the colonial treasury and were enjoyed by the local elite, including the regent.

Furthermore, the Regent of Cianjur was known for a luxurious lifestyle. Jan Breman records that the regent often travelled in a gold-plated carriage, akin to a great nobleman. ‘Like consumptive great lords, they shopped for luxury goods at high prices. On their return, they brought opium, tobacco, and cotton, goods to be sold to their subordinates,’ Breman wrote.

This extravagance even had a direct impact on other regions. Dutch colonial official Multatuli, in his novel ‘Max Havelaar’ (1860), highlighted how the Cianjur Regent’s visit to Lebak burdened the host area. According to him, the regent arrived with a large entourage that had to be accommodated by the local community. ‘Hundreds of people, all of whom had to be housed and fed, as well as their horses,’ wrote Multatuli.

According to Nina Herlina Lubis, this condition was inseparable from the prevailing view of power at the time. The regency was positioned as a stage, with the regent as the main actor who had to display magnificence. ‘The regency was like a performance stage, with the regent as the lead actor who had to act splendidly,’ she revealed.

In the end, history shows a recurring pattern. Power often goes hand in hand with elite luxury, while the people continue to bear the suffering.