Kawan is the Malay word for companion, friend, or comrade.
Marechaussee Jargon Usage
In the informal internal hierarchy of the Korps Maréchaussée, Kawan was used to designate the rank-and-file private Marechaussee soldiers (manschappen). It emphasized intense mutual loyalty and comrade-in-arms bonds (kameradentrouw) forged during grueling long-distance jungle patrols.
See Also
Source
Het Korps Maréchaussée in Atjeh: De Atjehsche Garde 1890 - 2 April 1930, Het Nieuws van den Dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië, Extra Jubileum-nummer, Batavia, 2 April 1930, p. 13.