Why was the skill of the Kalangs strategic for Dutch forest policy?

Correct answer: They were skilled in cutting forests and supplying timber

The direct answer is C: the Kalangs were skilled in cutting forests and supplying timber. The Dutch wanted to exploit Java's teak forests, but large-scale forestry required workers who understood the forest and could fell and transport wood. The Kalangs had this practical expertise, so their skill was strategically useful to colonial forest policy. Option A is wrong because the question concerns forest labour, not sea captains. Option B is wrong because cotton markets were unrelated to the special Kalang role described here. Option C is correct because it directly connects their forest skill with Dutch teak extraction. Option D is wrong because Kalangs were not Dutch parliament members; political membership would not explain their importance in forestry. Reasoning chain: Dutch authorities needed teak; teak extraction required skilled labour; Kalangs possessed relevant forest skills; therefore the colonial policy tried to use and control them. This also helps explain later tension and rebellion. Memory cue: Kalang equals forest skill and timber labour, not naval or parliamentary power.