East Seram Regency

History

History and Development of East Seram: The Eastern Gateway of Maluku

East Seram Regency (SBT), officially established on December 18, 2003, based on Law No. 40 of 2003, is a region with very old and deep historical roots in the Maluku Islands. Spanning 5,805.24 km² in the eastern part of Seram Island, this region directly borders Central Maluku Regency to the west and has geographical and historical proximity to the Fakfak region in West Papua.

Historical Roots and Colonial Era

Long before the arrival of Europeans, the East Seram region, especially the Gorom and Geser areas, had been a crucial meeting point for the spice trade. Geser was known as "Little Singapore" in the past due to its role as an international transit port connecting traders from Arabia, China, and Bugis with producers of nutmeg and cloves.

In the 17th century, the influence of the Tidore Sultanate was very strong in this region, especially through the Uli (traditional alliance) system of governance. However, the Dutch interest through the VOC triggered prolonged conflicts. One of the heroic events recorded was the people's resistance led by Kapitan Jonker (a military leader from Manipa who had influence in Seram) and later the struggle of Nuku from Tidore, who made the SBT region a base for defense and mobilization of forces against Dutch monopoly at the end of the 18th century.

Era of Independence and Administrative Transition

Following the proclamation of Indonesian independence in 1945, the people of East Seram firmly declared their integration into the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). This region was affected by the turmoil of the Republic of South Maluku (RMS) in the 1950s, but local leaders remained loyal to safeguarding Indonesian sovereignty. Administratively, this region was initially part of Central Maluku Regency until it was finally expanded to accelerate the development of remote areas at the beginning of the reform era.

Cultural Heritage and Local Identity

The historical wealth of SBT is inseparable from the traditional culture of "Kalwedo" and the philosophy of "Ita Wotu Nusa" (We Build the Nation). Its people have a unique traditional structure in the form of Negeri (villages) led by a Raja (king). Cultural practices such as Pukul Sapu in some villages and the traditional Tidore dance reflect the cultural assimilation between the indigenous people of Seram and the influence of the North Maluku Sultanate. Another uniqueness is the existence of archaeological sites in the form of remnants of small forts and ancient graves of Islamic spreaders on Gorom Island, indicating this region as one of the early entry points of Islam in Maluku.

Modern Development

Today, East Seram is transforming into an energy and maritime center in Maluku. The presence of the oil industry in Bula, which has been explored since the Dutch era (the Ceram Petroleum Maatschappij company in 1897), continues to be a pillar of the national economy. The development of the Trans-Seram road infrastructure now connects SBT with neighboring regencies, ending historical isolation and strengthening its position as the strategic eastern doorstep of Maluku Province in the constellation of Indonesia's maritime economy.