The Roles of Chinese Immigrants on the Fishery Industry in Bagan Siapi-api, Eastern Coast of Sumatra 1871-1970

Fitrisia, Azmi (2008) The Roles of Chinese Immigrants on the Fishery Industry in Bagan Siapi-api, Eastern Coast of Sumatra 1871-1970. In: IOES Monograph Series No. 4, 2008, Malaysia.

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Abstract

This paper talks the roles of Chinese immigrants on the heigh of the fishery industry in Bagan Siapi-Api. Since the end of the nineteenth century, Chinese immigrants have been turning into a great extent of development. In 1931, the amount of the Chinese people has challenged the amount of the natives. Most of them work on the fishery field. Until 1946, the number of the Chinese people has increased into 75% of the total amount of population in the area. Bagan Siapi-Api has turned into a kind of ‘China Town.’ This is unique and becomes the only one in Indonesia. The Chinese cultures develop very well in this town. ‘Bokar Tongkang’ becomes one of the many cultures, which survives through years in the Chinese society in Bagan Siapi-Api. In fishery, in particular, the Chinese people have earned certain social status; ranged from the rough laborers, landlords, merchants, and successful businessmen. As laborers, they live in ‘bangilau-bangilau.’ The landlords, merchants and businessmen live in Medan and Singapore. Some of them have reached the highest status in the society. The Dutch Colonial Government is only the tax collectors, and let the control of policy makers and economic exploitation adjustment be in the hands of the Chinese people. Firstly, this paper wants to discuss about the struggle of the Chinese people in defending their authority towards the changes made the Dutch Colonists on fishery industry. Secondly, this paper will also discuss the influence of the Chinese immigrants particularly on the fishery industry in Bagan Siapi-Api.

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