Habib Oesén was the religious leader who commanded the hostile fortifications (bentengs) in the moekims Peukan Baroe and Peukan Sòt near Sigli, within the territory of uléëbalang Teukoe Béntara Pineung. From his fortified positions, Oesén directed daily shootings against the Dutch administrative establishment at Sigli, making the Peukan Baroe-Peukan Sòt question one of the most humiliating irritants of the Dutch position in Pidie until his positions were destroyed in the Sigli expedition of August 1897.
The fortifications at Peukan Baroe-Peukan Sòt
Habib Oesén had erected numerous fortifications in the moekims Peukan Baroe and Peukan Sòt. From a point called Klapa tiga (“the three coconut trees”) — named for the three coconut trees that still stood upright in the not always bullet-free air — shooters fired in the direction of three companies, the benteng, and the administrative establishment at Sigli. After two more coconut trees were shot down, the Dutch military renamed the point pap satoe (“one coconut”).
The Kolonial Verslag of 1897 (Hoofdstuk C53) recorded that in the surroundings of Sigli, the indigenous population and the Dutch establishment had suffered annoyance from the evil-willed persons residing in those moekims, resulting in bloody clashes. Bold cases of sea-robbery near Sigli also occurred, for which the moekim was punished with grenade fire from the navy. A warship was specially tasked with guarding the coastal section between the moekim and Sigli.
Earlier negotiations and the purchase approach
In earlier periods, negotiations had been attempted with neighbouring heads to attack and expel Habib Oesén. There had also been thoughts of buying Habib Oesén’s friendship, or at least buying off acts of enmity. The army commander advised against using the paid services of “Habib Hoesin,” and until a means was found for a satisfactory result, advised against an expedition to Peukan Baroe-Peukan Sòt. Under the new regime of active operations, proper methods were known.
Destruction of the positions (August 1897)
During the Sigli expedition, after bombardment by warships and artillery from Sigli, all the bentengs were stormed and taken by Dutch forces under Van Heutsz. The uléla’s — including Habib Oesén — cleared the field, leaving many dead, rifles, and white weapons. The bentengs were demolished and the terrain cleared.
See Also
- Peukan Baroe
- Peukan Sòt
- Sigli
- Sigli expedition (August 1897)
- Joannes Benedictus van Heutsz
- Pidië
- Klapa tiga
- Atjeh-oorlog (1873-1904)
Source
H. T. Damsté, “Drie Atjeh-Mannen,” Kolonial Tijdschrift, No. 4, 26e Jaargang (1937), pp. 364–366; Kolonial Verslag 1897, Hoofdstuk C53, p. 11.