Significance of Mejar Cina title discerned from lesson in History

I READ with interest the report “Johor Ruler revives Mejar Cina title” (The Star, Sept 2) because it reminded me of an essay I wrote in university regarding the cash crop economy of Johor in the early 20th century. It was an assignment for the course “Documents in Malaysian History”.

My research entailed delving into the late 19th century and that was when I learnt about the kangchu (master of the riverbank) that was mentioned in the above report.