The survey parties to Atjeh (February 1950) were groups of plantation officials and government advisors dispatched in early February 1950 to assess the condition of the approximately fifty plantation enterprises in Atjeh following the Dutch-Indonesian hostilities and to evaluate the prospects for their return to operation.
Background
The survey parties were dispatched following discussions between representatives of the Entrepreneurs’ Association for Indonesia (Ondernemersbond voor Indonesië) on 9 and 10 December 1949 at Kotaradja, at which it was resolved to send survey parties (survey-parties) to assess the situation of the enterprises in Atjeh. These discussions took place in the context of labour disputes that had been considered by a local arbitral commission (P4D) and a central commission (P4P).
First group (2 February 1950)
The first group of seven planters flew from Medan to Kotaradja on 2 February 1950. They were drawn from:
- The Société Financière des Caoutchoucs;
- The Netherlands Trading Company (Ned. Handel Mij.);
- The State Agricultural Enterprises (Landslandbouwbedrijven).
They were accompanied by Rasjid Siregar, commissioner of the Sarbupri (Sarekat Buruh Perkebunan Republik Indonesia). The planters of the Société Financière proceeded to examine the oil-palm plantations at Meulaboh, while the others travelled via Bireuen.
Second group (3 February 1950)
The second group of some twenty planters travelled by jeep via P. Brandan to Langsar Estate, where the party would split. This group was accompanied by Sutan Barus, inspector-general of enterprises in Atjeh, his secretary G. Kars Gultom, and N. W. L. Stofkoper, advisor for agricultural enterprises.
B.P.M. survey party
Simultaneously, the B.P.M. (Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij, the Batavian Petroleum Company) sent its own survey party of eight technicians to Atjeh, including its Medan representative W. J. J. A. van den Bosch. They found the factory grounds completely ruined (they had already been partially destroyed before the Japanese invasion) and the oil fields in a somewhat patched-up condition.
Follow-up: V.V.R.O.S. delegation (August 1950)
On 29 August 1950, a V.V.R.O.S. delegation, together with six representatives of the companies with interests in Atjeh, proceeded to Kotaradja for further discussions with a commission formed by the governor of Atjeh. Shortly thereafter, approximately 40 of the roughly 50 enterprises in Atjeh could be released, of which 20 were immediately taken into management. Said Abubakar was appointed manager (beheerder), with technical advice provided by C. A. Kleingeld of the Sipef.
Source
Oostkust van Sumatra-Instituut Mededeling No. 37: Deli-Figuren uit de jaren 1950 t/m 1952, compiled by Ir. F. J. J. Dootjes (Amsterdam, 1953).