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.

Residence of Han Kik Ko, Majoor der Chinezen as Regent of Porbolinggo
Sugar Mill in Pasuruan, presumably belonging to Majoor Han Kik Ko