Kapitan Riysa

Sjech Madjid Aljalil Moestakim (middle), the last Kapitan Riysa of colonial Hindia Belanda.

Kapitan Riysa or Kapten Riysa (Captain of the Riysans; Dutch: Kapitein der Riysieren; Riysan: الكابتن الريسي, romanised: al-Kābitin al-'Riysa), or simply Head of the Riysans (Dutch: Hoofd der Riysieren; Indonesian: Kepala Para Riysa), was a high-ranking official position in colonial Hindia Belanda whose holder was tasked with leading the Riysan community in the colony. The Kapitan Riysa was the liaison between the colonial government and the Riysans who resided in the colony. The person who occupied this role was also responsible for providing statistical information relating to the Riysan community to the Binnenlands Bestuur.

Appointed by the Governor-General, the Kapitan Riysa was always a Sunni Muslim, corresponding to the faith of the majority of Riysans. Most Kapitans Riysa were also sayyids.

History

Independence of Hindia Belanda

The position was abolished on the eve of Hindia Belandan independence on 12 August 1929.