Panglong System was Chinese group labour organization for timber cutting, planks sawing, charcoal burning, applied in afdeeling Bengkalis of Oostkust van Sumatra and also at Bajan in Langsa for Deli-spoor.
Regulation
At St. 1909 No.488 panglong regulation given, withdrawn St. 1923 No.220, but on islands in forests supervision difficult. Retribution properly determine not easy. Panglong group workers usually from Singapore under head taukeh (mandoer) work either to cutter beams or firewood, planks sawing or coals burning. On Bengkalis and other islands near Siak, also Siak itself small with 5 and 7 man, but usual number 22.
Government gives permits fixed years to timber felling with obligation payment fixed right plus cijns and reforestation, panglongs however can always continue and pay per man monthly certain amount (earlier f 2.50, today f 3.50). Panglong folk rough free-fought forest loneliness. With taukeh they have account pays head money advances feeding and accounts according certain distribution joint earning. For boss, cook, writer and overseer head money not paid. Fighting occurs on panglongs taukeh must sometimes face angry cutters often shorted. Panglong leaving wandering elsewhere joining all unfavorable sides.
At Bajan not same: two groups each about 40 man people from Overwal and old contractors Deli. Each group head called kepala each worker taxed payment head money that for year at least f 7.20. Each group cook and krani for bookkeeping each earnings. European manager here naturally regular supervision so excesses not unnoticed remains checks work delivery pays kepala per fixed tariffs for sleepers beams certain dimensions. Chinese dwellings forest near storage places some Chinese wife most Javanese. Worker makes 30-50 gulden each month kepala earns much more. Forest beautiful piece nature but terrain difficult rises steep falls. Species spread only damar laoet groups occur. Fell each month approx 250 ton wood (1 ton 1 3/4 cubic meter) but richness so large during 25 years 700 ton each month could be taken.
Permit 1918 for 30 years to timber felling but also agriculture permits other bodies same terrains undesirable simultaneity different right distinct hands same terrains not.
See Also
Source
Atjeh als land voor handel en bedrijf, by Dr. R. Broersma, Gebrs. Cohen, Utrecht, 1925, pp. 21-23.