Mat Saïd was the kampong head of Ketapan Doewa in the VI Moekims, the first “friendly” chief arrested by the Dutch on suspicion of collusion with the enemy, on 8 May 1876.
The obligations and the suspicion
At his submission he had undertaken to supply the materials for the bridge over the Kroeëng Daroe and to keep the Dutch informed of what went on among the enemy. The bridge materials were first partly, later not at all supplied; his reports about the enemy were always insignificant; and the safety of his district thin — the attempt to creep up on the post at Ketapan Doewa on 23 April 1876 took place in his own ground. Warned repeatedly, he always maintained his innocence, and the contrary could not be proved.
When, in the first days of May, he left his kampong and spent several days in the IV Moekims — where he had no business, but where a large enemy band was roaming — conviction of his collusion became almost complete in the eyes of the Dutch officers. On the evening of 7 May he returned; on 8 May the post commander arrested him without difficulty and sent him to Kota Radja.
His information
At his arrest Mat Saïd declared that about 800 highlanders (orang oeloe) had gathered in the mountains of the IV Moekims intending to attack one of the Dutch fortified posts — which he did not know, or did not wish to say: “the highlanders intend to attack a small fortification of the Government.” The report was partly confirmed by the post commander of Djempit through a spy, and the commanders of the western line were informed; nothing came of it.
His case is documented by H. F. Meijer in Atjeh van 26 December 1875 tot 4 September 1876 (1883).
See Also
Source
Atjeh van 26 December 1875 tot 4 September 1876, door H. F. Meijer (Breda: P. B. Nieuwenhuijs, 1883), chapter VII, pp. 179–180.