The Governmental Structure of Netherlands New Guinea 1828-1962 Dr. At Ipenburg We are discussing the system of "Binnenlands Bestuur" or "Gewestelijk Bestuur". This is separate from the "Central Bestuur". The "Central Bestuur" is the real Government in the narrow meaning of the word. The Government is in the hands of the Governor-General, who, as representative of the Queen, takes all the decisions. The Dutch East Indies was divided into "Gewesten" or Provinces, headed by a "Hoofd van Gewestelijk Bestuur" In Java and Madura these have the title of "Resident.," which is equal to the rank of Colonel. In the "Buitenbezittingen" there were then still "Governors", with a rank equivalent to the rank of General-Major.
A "Gewest" (Province) is divided into "Afdeelingen" (Districts) headed by either a Resident, or a Controleur, or in rare cases a "Posthouder" (Postholder) or "Gezaghebber" (One Who is Given Authority).
Then you have the "Hoofden van Plaatselijk Bestuur" (HPB or ). There were also "Assistent-Controleurs, officers in training for Controleur. Apart from the "Central Bestuur" (Central Government) and the "Gewestelijk Bestuur" or "Binnenlands Bestuur "(BB)(Provincial Government) there is the "Inlandsch Bestuur� (Native Government) with its own hierarchy. This Government consisted only of Natives. However, Natives were allowed to be appointed to ranks in the Binnenlands Bestuur". This happened in several cases. Here we have "Regentschappen" headed by a "Regent". This is the present day “Bupati". These were mostly of high nobility or even of royal class. They usually have the title of Tumengung, which is equivalent to the rank of Major. When serving well they can rise to the rank of Adipati, equivalent to Lieutenant-Colonel. The highest rank here is Pangeran. Most of them also use the title of Raden or Raden Mas. As symbol of their high rank and status they have the right, and only they, to have a "payung" or "songsong" carried after them. The "Regentschap" is divided into Districts" headed by a "vedana." This is the general picture for the whole of the East-Indies. There are regional differences in the system, derived from the time they joined the Netherlandss East Indies and the conditions on which a particular area joined.
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