 Hence the region was less central to the Netherlands colonial state, but the Dutch maintained a presence in the region to prevent another colonial power from occupying it.After the VOC was nationalised by the Dutch government in 1800, Ternate became part of the Government of the Moluccas ("Gouvernement der Molukken").Ternate was seized and occupied by British forces in 1810 before being returned to Dutch control in 1817.