[5] His father, Ngabehi Soero Pernollo, served the Dutch East India Company in various capacities before being appointed politiehoofd, or police head, of Besuki and Panarukan in 1764.
[5][6] Baba Sam's career in the colonial administration began with his appointment by the Dutch East India Company in 1772 as Ronggo, or district head, of Besuki under the Javanese name of Soemodiwirjo.
[2][6] He obtained this post thanks to the intercession of his powerful uncle, Han Bwee Kong, Kapitein der Chinezen of Surabaya and Pachter, or leaseholder, of the district of Besuki.
F. Tombe, French travellers during the Interregnum in Java (1806 – 1815), the Tumanggung not only spoke good Dutch, but was also a keen admirer of Napoleon Bonaparte and the latter's administrative policies in Europe.
[1] It was thought that the Dutch government felt threatened by the organised power of the Han family of Lasem, and wanted to reassert control over the Eastern Salient of Java.