[1][2][3][4][5][6] Dutch jurists described the legal jurisdiction of a Landheer over his domain as ‘sovereign’ and comparable to that of the rulers of indirectly ruled princely states in the Indies.
[9][10] In this context, 'Kongsi' meant 'Lord' or 'his Lordship', and was a title used by the Chinese Landheeren, who were invariably scions of the Cabang Atas gentry.
[11] The legal and political jurisdiction of a Landheer was regulated by a mixture of laws and customary rules developed under the Dutch East India Company.
[12] The Landheer was also responsible for the provision of education, health and other social services and public infrastructures for the inhabitants of the domain.
[2][3][5] As part of his landsheerlijke rechten, the Landheer was entitled to certain dues from his subjects, including tjoekee or contingent, which consisted of 20% of the harvest from dependent holdings worked on by his tenant farmers.