Colonial Agreements Reshaped Local Governance
The history of Loloda is closely connected to the political development of North Maluku. Once regarded as one of the oldest kingdoms on Halmahera Island, Loloda maintained its own royal institutions while remaining politically linked to the Sultanate of Ternate.
The study shows that Dutch colonial authorities strengthened their control over the region through a sequence of formal treaties with the Sultanate of Ternate. These agreements gradually transferred authority from indigenous rulers to the colonial administration, fundamentally changing the governance of Loloda.
Rather than exercising direct rule immediately, the Dutch relied on legal agreements and administrative restructuring to expand their influence. This strategy enabled colonial officials to supervise local leadership while preserving the appearance of traditional authority.
Understanding the Historical Process
To reconstruct these events, Abd. Rahman and Prof. Dr. Susanto Zuhdi employed the historical research method. They examined colonial treaties, Dutch administrative archives, historical newspapers, government reports, published literature, and oral historical evidence preserved by local communities.
The researchers compared documentary evidence from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to trace how colonial policies transformed Loloda's political system and influenced local responses over time.
Three Colonial Treaties Changed Loloda's Political Status
According to the study, three major treaties formed the legal foundation of Dutch authority in Loloda.
- The 1817 Treaty of Friendship and Alliance required the Sultanate of Ternate and Loloda to acknowledge Dutch sovereignty, placing colonial authority above local political institutions.
- The 1822 Treaty strengthened Dutch administrative control by regulating tribute collection, resource management, and the appointment of colonial officials responsible for supervising local affairs.
- The 1824 Treaty further expanded Dutch influence by requiring colonial approval for the appointment of kings and royal officials, judicial decisions, military cooperation, infrastructure development, and other governmental functions.
Together, these agreements significantly reduced the autonomy of the Kingdom of Loloda and increased Dutch political authority throughout North Maluku.
Colonial Policies Sparked Local Resistance
The study identifies several colonial policies that generated widespread dissatisfaction among the people of Loloda.
One of the most controversial measures was the introduction of taxation that affected local communities and traditional economic practices. Colonial authorities also imposed forced labor (heerendienst) for the construction of roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, requiring residents to contribute labor without adequate compensation.
At the same time, Protestant missionary activities expanded throughout the region. The researchers note that these religious efforts were perceived by many local residents as another form of colonial intervention into indigenous society.
Together, these political, economic, and religious pressures created conditions that eventually led to organized resistance.
The 1909 Loloda Resistance
The most dramatic consequence of the colonial restructuring occurred in 1909, when resistance emerged under the leadership of Kapita Laut Sikuru from Laba Village.
The conflict was driven by dissatisfaction with taxation, forced labor, missionary activities, and disputes over the appointment of local rulers supported by the Dutch colonial government.
During the confrontation, Dutch administrative assistant van Rooij and two accompanying policemen were killed. Colonial authorities responded by deploying military forces to suppress the uprising.
Following the rebellion, King Syamsuddin Syah, members of the royal family, and several Loloda officials were dismissed from office and exiled. The colonial government subsequently abolished the Kingdom of Loloda, replacing its traditional monarchy with a district administration under the Sultanate of Ternate and Dutch supervision.
The researchers classify this event as onlusten—a colonial Dutch term referring to a localized riot or disturbance—rather than a large-scale war. Nevertheless, the uprising marked the end of Loloda's independent political authority.
Why This Research Matters Today
The findings provide valuable historical insight into how colonial governments expanded political control through legal agreements rather than military conquest alone. The study demonstrates that administrative reforms, taxation policies, and institutional restructuring can have profound long-term consequences for local governance and community identity.
The research also contributes to a broader understanding of Indonesia's colonial history by highlighting the experiences of smaller kingdoms that have often received less attention than larger anti-colonial movements. For historians, educators, policymakers, and cultural heritage institutions, the study offers important evidence of how indigenous political systems responded to external intervention.
Authors' Perspective
According to Abd. Rahman of Khairun University and Prof. Dr. Susanto Zuhdi of the University of Indonesia, the Dutch colonial government's administrative reorganization fundamentally transformed Loloda's political structure. Their analysis indicates that the treaties signed in 1817, 1822, and 1824 progressively weakened the kingdom's sovereignty, while colonial taxation, forced labor, and missionary expansion intensified tensions that culminated in the 1909 resistance.
Author Profiles
Abd. Rahman is a senior lecturer in the History Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Khairun University, Ternate, Indonesia. His research focuses on the political history of Loloda, colonial governance, and local historical dynamics in North Maluku.
Susanto Zuhdi is a historian in the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, University of Indonesia. His academic expertise includes Indonesian maritime history, regional political history, and the historical development of eastern Indonesia.
Source
Article Title: The Arrangement of the Netherlands Indies Government and Loloda Resistance, 1817–1909
Journal: Journal of Social Interactions and Humanities (JSIH)
Volume: 5, Issue 2
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/jsih.v5i2.6
Official Journal: https://journaljsih.my.id/index.php/jsih
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