Karasem

The Republic of Karasem (Karaseman: Republik Karasem) is a country in the Southeast Asia. It consists of an archipelago in the South China Sea. The nation is located in the heart of Southeast Asia. Its neighbors are Indonesia in the south and southwest, Singapore and Malaysia in the west and Thailand, Vietnam and Laos in the North. The capital of Karasem is in Kota Baru which located within Cibebek Province. The largest city in Karasem is Meriah in North Cikulon Province, followed by Cibebek and Medang.

Republic of Karasem is a presidential republic country which president run as the executive power and national representative as legislative power. The current leader is President Widjojo Raharjo who was elected in 2017 from the Democrats Party of Karasem.

Karasem is a devoloping country in the transition into market economy. With GDP over 1 trillion, Karasem is one of the largest economy power in Southeast Asia, as well as being part of ASEAN and Next Eleven with its economy based on the mining (natural gas, oil), trading, agriculture and tourism. Meriah as the largest city of Karasem host various international corporations and industries.

Karasem has population 92,320,188 as for 2010 census result with largest city, Meriah has population 8 millions people in 2010 while its metropolitan area, Greater Meriah-Muara Karang has population over 17 millions people making it the 3rd largest in Southeast Asia after Jakarta and Manila. Karasem has a very diverse demographic consisting of Malays as the indigenous population of Karasem and the majority ethnic making 45% of national population, Javanese people making about 24% of population, Keshanese making the third largest consisting 6.77% of population while the major minorities consist of Chams,  Han Chinese, Sundanese making up about 20% of total population.

Prehistory Era
Karasem was in the middle of Sundaland area on the prehistory prior to the 'disappearance' of this region under water leaving Karasem islands in the middle of South China Sea. According to the archaeologist, Karasem already populated since the 2,000 years ago by Austronesian Proto-Malay people from the mainland asia according to the most current believed theory.

Latest study suggest that Cikulon Island and Kasem Island settled or influenced by Austroasiatic speaking people in around 1-3rd century with the found of its influence on the early transcription of the Beranta Indera Kingdom and the uses of loanword from neigboring Khmer Language though the proofs are consindered weak.

Indianized Kingdom era
First known civilization in Karasem islands is Beranta Indera Kingdom dating back in 578 CE based on the Karagbatu Inscription found in its former capital, Vijaya (Ketapang) near modern day Ketapang. During its largest extend under the reign of King Virahman III (614-679), Beranta Indera territory includes Kasem Island, western Natuna Island and northern Cikulon Island.

In 705 Srivijaya managed to annex Beranta Indera. According toward Chinese inscription, the Port City of Sai-nga (modern day Kota Barat) was a major trading port on the region serving the merchants from various location and sells the local products of Nutmegs, Cloves and other spices related product originated from Maritime Southeast Asia Islands. Srivijaya empire extant in Karaseman Archipelago includes whole modern day Karasem Territory includes the neighboring port in Champa.

During the Srivijaya decline in 1005, Kingdom of Melayu Anyar emerged in Northern Cikulon with its capital of Malayanagara by the remains of former Beranta Indera Royal Lineage. King Kertabumi leads this newly formed Hindu Kingdom to pacify whole Cikulon Island and later Kasem and Natuna island. Prabu Muda (1144-1190) managed to conquer part of Serawak in Borneo and vassalize several minor states in Ketapang. Melayu Anyar later conquered by Singhasari in 1255.

In the North, under the sphere of Tang dynasty, Keshan Dynasty formed on 871 and became the vassal of Tang Dynasty (later in 930 become independent). Keshan is the first and only Sinosphere state in Karaseman Archipelago and exist for more than 1000 century until its annexed by Republic of Karasem in 1955.

After Singhasari, Majapahit taken over Karasem. in 1364 Majapahit navy captured Palembang, putting an end to the Srivijayan kingdom. Although the Majapahit rulers extended their power over other islands and destroyed neighbouring kingdoms, their focus seems to have been on controlling and gaining a larger share of the commercial trade that passed through the archipelago. About the time Majapahit was founded, Muslim traders and proselytisers began entering the area. After its peak in the 14th century, Majapahit power began to decline and was unable to control the rising power of the Sultanate of Malacca. Dates for the end of the Majapahit Empire range from 1478 to 1520. A large number of courtiers, artisans, priests, and members of the royal family moved east to the island of Bali at the end of Majapahit power.

The Sultanate era
Sultanate of Malacca ruled western part of Karasem includes Cikulon, Kasem, Natuna and southern Ketapang since the dawn of Majapahit on early 15th century. Kota Bharat was an important port of region alongside with neighboring Temasek. Ketapang and Bandan were another growing settlement on Karasem Archipelago during this period.

After Malacca conquered by Portuguese, in 1528 Johor founded n