Robotic Lab.

AMPON CHIK PEUSANGAN WITHIN THE TRACING REVOLUTION IN ACEH  By: Dr. Teuku Mohamad Isa 

Part: 3

BECOMING THE ULEEBALANG OF PEUSANGAN

Ampon Chik Peusangan

    While Teuku Tjhik Sjamaun was conducting guerrilla warfare in the jungles of Peusangan, Sultan Aceh - Tuanku Muhammad Daudsjah -  visited Matang Glumpang Dua, the capital of the Peusangan region. The Sultan intended to reaffirm Teuku Tjhik Sjamaun as the Uleebalang (leader) of Peusangan with the title "Teuku Kejruen".  The Sultan waited for several days in Matang Glumpang Dua, but Teuku Tjhik Sjamaun did not appear. 

An envoy informed the Sultan that Teuku Tjhik Sjamaun was gravely ill in the remote jungles of the Peusangan river's upper reaches. Without delay, Sultan Aceh appointed Teuku Muhammad Djohan Alamsjah, Sjamaun’s son, as the new Uleebalang of Peusangan. The appointment was officially recorded in a royal decree known as the "Surat Tjap Sikureung", which was directly handed to the young Teuku Muhammad Djohan Alamsjah. 

At the time of his appointment, the young Uleebalang was only ten years old. Following the ceremony, the Sultan continued his work journey to the Pasai region to reorganize his command headquarters, evading General van Heutz's pursuit. Ironically, Teuku Tjhik Sjamaun’s resistance against Dutch colonial forces ended abruptly. 

A few months after his death, Teuku Djohan Alamsjah's elder uncle, Teuku Djeumpa, surrendered and sought peace with the Dutch. General van Heutz, seizing the opportunity, eagerly welcomed this gesture. Dutch envoys visited Pulo Iboh to meet Potjut Unggaih, the widow of Teuku Tjhik Sjamaun, urging her to allow her son to be taken to Kutaradja (modern Banda Aceh) for schooling. 

The Dutch intended to educate the young Uleebalang in a manner that aligned with their interests, using a Dutch-model education. Potjut Unggaih firmly rejected this request, unwilling to let her son become influenced by non-Islamic values.

Repeatedly, Dutch envoys, accompanied by Teuku Djeumpa, attempted to persuade Potjut Unggaih. After much deliberation with her trusted family members, she reluctantly allowed her son to be taken to Kutaradja under strict conditions. Her son could go, but only if accompanied by a companion who would also receive an education.

The Dutch, delighted by this concession, eagerly accepted. Without spilling blood, the Peusangan region became a "friend" of the Dutch Kingdom- a euphemism for Aceh's subjugation. Though palatable to the Dutch, this reality was bitter for the Acehnese.

Teuku Muhammad Djohan Alamsjah’s Journey to Kutaraja

Eventually, Teuku Muhammad Djohan Alamsjah departed for Kutaradja, accompanied by a guard and a friend named Abdul Karim. Later, one of Abdul Karim's sons, Drs. Adnan, became an employee of the Medan City Government. Until October 2006, he loyally cared for Tjut Maimunah, one of the daughters of Teuku Tjhik Muhammad Djohan Alamsjah, who was elderly and living at her residence on Jalan Sei Belutu Gang Keluarga No. 55i, Medan. The bond of loyalty among these individuals endured until the passing of the noble Acehnese woman on November 5, 2006, at 4:45 PM in Bandung 1).

For three years, Teuku Muhammad Djohan Alamsjah and Abdul Karim studied at the Guru Djam Public School in Kutaraja. Guru Muhammad Djam, a Minangkabau native, was highly professional in his field. He patiently provided private education to the two young Acehnese students. The basic subjects taught included mathematics, reading and writing in Latin script, Malay language, social etiquette in Dutch society, history, and politics of the Dutch East Indies.

The two young men embraced their teacher's dedication and diligently absorbed the knowledge imparted to them. Governor General Van Heutz of Aceh expressed great satisfaction with Guru Djam’s performance. In recognition of Muhammad Djam's contributions to education, the Dutch East Indies government later named the street in front of the school as Guru Muhammad Djam Street.

After completing the education mandated by the Dutch, Teuku Muhammad Djohan Alamsjah, along with his friend and loyal guard, returned to the Peusangan region. General Van Heutz believed that the young Acehnese Uleebalang had been successfully "tamed". The position of Uleebalang of Peusangan, as decreed by the Sultan of Aceh, was once again entrusted to Teuku Muhammad Djohan Alamsjah. In carrying out his duties, the young uleebalang was guided by his uncle, Teuku Djeumpa, who effectively served as the acting uleebalang of Peusangan.

 1)  Pocut Maimunah passed away on November 5, 2006, at 4:00 PM in Bandung.