18世纪,西婆罗洲的各苏丹国进口大量华人苦力到南洋挖掘金矿与锡矿,由于有荷兰殖民者进行骚扰,所以当地有华人社团从广东招请团练,来到南洋担当类似保镖或佣兵的角色,逐渐形成所谓“公司”的组织。又以客家人族群由于习武风气盛又相当团结有严格纪律,故颇受欢迎,影响力甚大,当中势力最大的是兰芳公司。根据荷兰学者Veth等人的说法,大约在十八世纪四十年代,婆罗洲喃吧哇(Mampawa)酋长首次从文莱招募十几名华人开发当地金矿,结果非常成功,三发(英语:Sultanate of Sambas)(今三发县)苏丹也跟着效仿。[5]
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