Dr. R. Broersma was a Dutch economist and author of Atjeh als land voor handel en bedrijf (1925), the economic survey of the Gouvernement Atjeh en Onderhoorigheden republished from articles entitled “Verkenningen in Atjeh” in the newspaper De Locomotief between July and October 1923.
Explorations in Aceh
Broersma stated that his explorations aimed to examine the condition of enterprise and trade in Atjeh and the means to strengthen the Acehnese population. He traveled from the south via the Deli-spoor and Atjeh-tram meeting at Besitang, entering Temiang at Koeala Simpang, then northward through Langsa, Peureula, Idi, Lho Soekon, Lho Seumawe, Bireuen, and into the Gajo-landen via the Gajo-weg to Takengon and Laut Tawar.
He argued that the regions he saw were poor in land and poor in people, and that the “richness of Atjeh” still had to be created. Help from the Netherlands administration should consist only in giving correct indications and smoothing tracks where progress was possible.
Critique of contemporary propaganda
In his foreword, Broersma criticized the jubilee publication Vijftig jaren economische staatkunde in Atjeh (1923) by journalist J. Langhout, which he described as ordered advertising supported by the Department of Colonies counting on H. N. A. Swart as guardian. He presented his own work as free from ulterior motives, sprung from own observation, discussions with oeléëbalangs and officials, and reading of official documents.
See Also
Account from Land en Volk van Atjeh Vroeger en Nu
Named as author of one of the smaller works on Aceh.
Source: J. Jongejans, Land en Volk van Atjeh Vroeger en Nu (Baarn: Hollandia Drukkerij N.V., c. 1938), pp. 17.
Source
Atjeh als land voor handel en bedrijf, by Dr. R. Broersma, Gebrs. Cohen, Utrecht, 1925, pp. 1-6.
Land en Volk van Atjeh Vroeger en Nu, by J. Jongejans, Oud-Resident van het Gewest Atjeh en Onderhoorigheden, with a foreword by Dr. H. Colijn (Baarn: Hollandia Drukkerij N.V., c. 1938), pp. 17.