Pepper Plantation Business In Riau Islands 19th Century

Abstract

The province of the Riau Islands is called the land of a bushel of pepper(negeri segantanglada). In the Riau Islands Malay language, pepper is called sahang and is currently a less popular plantation commodity than other crops such as rubber and oil palm. This paper examines the pepper plantation business in Riau Islands in the 19th century. This study uses historical research methods which in collecting data using literature studies and interviews. The results show that pepper only entered the Riau Islands at the end of the 18th century, along with the entry of gambier from Sumatra. In 1787, the Sultan of Riau Lingga Johor Pahang, Mahmud RiayatSyah and his followers, the Bugis and Malays moved the center of government from Bintan Island to DaikLingga to escape Dutch pressure. This policy also had an impact on the pepper plantation business abandoned by the Bugis and Malays. The Chinese who originally worked as laborers or coolies on plantations, turned into garden owners. In the 19th century, pepper plantations were cultivated on a large scale in a number of areas in the Riau Islands, such as Bintan, Batam, Lingga and Karimun. Pepper is mostly exported to Singapore and a small part is sold to Java. The late 19th to early 20th centuries occurred a decline in pepper production in Riau Islands. This is influenced by the decline in demand due to the condition of pepper prices on the world market. The owners of pepper plantations and at the same time owning gambier gardens and left the two plantation commodities. They have other side businesses, such as shipping and gambling.In the early 20th century, pepper and gambier plantations were changed to rubber plantations. In addition, they still have other side businesses, such as shipping and gambling.