Kong Koan (original) (raw)

A Kong Koan (Chinese: 公馆; pinyin: Gongguan; Dutch: Chinese Raad; Indonesian: Raad Tjina) or 'Chinese Council', was a high government body in the major capitals of the Dutch East Indies, consisting of all incumbent Chinese officers in those cities. It acted as both a judicial and executive authority and constituted part of the Dutch colonial system of 'indirect rule'. The rechtszitting, or official seat or building, housing the Kong Koan was called a Kong Tong (Chinese: 公堂; pinyin: Gongtang; literally 'tribunal' or 'law court').