293
reunggét) then every hearer knows that the expression conveys a reproach, although such usury is by no means exceptional in Acheh. It is a slur on the character of the man of whom it is said, much as though he were accused of being an opium-smoker or a drunkard.
The ingenuity of mankind in the invention of means of evading the law finds full exemplification in the Achehnese practice of seeking innocent names for actions condemned by their religion.
The Achehnese dollars (piastres) taken by traders to Penang to buy goods[1], yield them in that port a profitable premium varying between 1 and 5%; 4%, is reckoned by them as the average premium or basi as they call it. The moneylender who advances capital to the trader for a trip such as this stipulates for half this basi, so that there remains for the trader the other half, plus whatever he may make by his venture. The basis adopted for such contracts is the rate of basi prevailing when the loan is made. This rate can always be easily ascertained from the traders or seafaring people who have last come over from Penang. Thus the moneylender is protected from loss, and the trader runs very little risk, as the rate seldom falls much in the time required for the voyage to Penang, and he no sooner reaches that port than he at once proceeds to change his money.
This method of raising money is called meudua basi = "dividing the premium into equal portions". The account is balanced every three months, so that, taking the premium at its average rate, the money-lender gets 4 × 2 = 8%, per annum for his money. Sometimes when the basi is very low, the moneylender bargains for the whole, so that the trader has to consider whether he can make a profit with such dear money.
Such contracts are, on account of the usury (riba) which they imply, condemned by the Mohammedan law equally with the Achehnese system of mortgage, nay even just as much as undisguised borrowing with a covenanted rate of interest. Yet the former process is in the popular estimation quite different from "making dollars yield interest", and the pliant consciences of the Achehnese are thus appeased.
Worse still, the name of lending in consideration of a part or the whole of the basi is used simply as a euphemism for ordinary usury, without any money-changing or journeys to Penang. For instance the
- ↑ These dollars find their way back to Acheh in exchange for pepper and betelnuts.
