I SALUTE the Sultan of Johor for proudly and rightfully acknowledging the significant role played by the Chinese in the economic development of his state and asserting that they are Malaysians and not pendatang, “A lasting legacy” (Sunday Star, Feb 21).
In this regard, I would like to throw more light on the pioneering role of the Chinese in opening up Johor’s jungle to cultivate pepper and gambier, which were the mainstay of the state’s economy until the end of the first decade of the 20th century. The establishment of pepper and gambier plantations by the Chinese in Johor actually gained momentum from the mid-1840s. These pioneer Chinese planters had mainly shifted from Singapore due to the shortage of land for planting these commercial crops there.
