Han Kik Ko

[1] His father, Han Bwee Kong, held the civil government post of Kapitein der Chinezen, which gave him legal and political authority over the Chinese community of Surabaya.

[2][3][8] His family played an important role in the consolidation of Dutch rule in East Java in the mid-eighteenth century, as well as the subsequent administration and economic development of the region.

[1][2] In 1810, after the purchase of Besuki and Panarukan by Majoor Han Chan Piet, the Kapitein decided to follow his elder brother's example by buying the district of Probolinggo.

[1][3][4][5] He agreed to pay the extraordinary sum of one million Spanish dollars in a series of instalments to the government of Herman Willem Daendels, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies during the Interregnum (1806 – 1815).

[9] Daendels subsequently promoted the Kapitein to the dignity of Majoor der Chinezen, as well as Regent of Probolinggo with the Javanese noble title of Tumanggung.

[9] Majoor Han Kik Ko's rule gave rise to favourable development in the district: new methods of irrigation were implemented, rice cultivation increased, and new crops were introduced.